1677

THE ROVER; OR THE BANISH’D CAVALIERS

Aphra Behn

Behn, Aphra (1640-1689) - Restoration dramatist, novelist, and poet; shewas the first English woman to earn her living as a writer. Behn served as a spyin Antwerp and was imprisoned for a time for debt. The Rover (1677) - Behn’sbest-known comedy is an entirely and openly rewritten version of Thomas Kili-grew’s “Thomaso, or The Wanderer.” It is the story of a band of cavaliers atNaples in carnival time during the exile of Charles II. “The Rover” was a popularfavorite in theaters.

Table Of ContentsDRAMATIS PERSONAE................................................5

PART I. ......................................................................8

PROLOGUE...............................................................8

ACT 1.......................................................................11

ACT II.......................................................................50

ACT III......................................................................83

ACT IV....................................................................127

ACT V ....................................................................182

EPILOGUE.............................................................227

POST-SCRIPT. ......................................................230

PROLOGUE,..........................................................232

ACT I.....................................................................238

ACT II.....................................................................277

ACT II.....................................................................306

ACT III....................................................................319

ACT IV....................................................................362

ACT V.....................................................................409

EPILOGUE.............................................................463

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

MEN.

Don Antonio, the Vice-Roy’s Son - Mr. Jevorne.

Don Pedro, a Noble Spainard, his Friend - Mr. Medburne.

Belvile, an English Colonel in love with Florinda - Mr. Betterton.

Willmore, the ROVER - Mr. Smith.

Frederick, an English Gentleman, and Friend to

Belvile and Blunt - Mr. Crosbie.

Blunt, an English Country Gentleman - Mr. Underhill.

Stephano, Servant to Don Pedro - Mr. Richards.

Philippo, Lucetta’s Gallant - Mr. Percival.

Sancho, Pimp to Lucetta - Mr. John Lee.

Bisky and Sebastian, two Bravoes to Angelica.

Diego, Page to Don Antonio.

Page to Hellena.

Boy, Page to Belvile.

Blunt’s Man.

WOMEN.

Florinda, Sister to Don Pedro - Mrs. Betterton

Hellena, a gay young Woman design’d for a Nun,

and Sister to Florinda - Mrs. Barrey.

Valeria, a Kinswoman to Florinda - Mrs. Hughes.

Angelica Bianca, a famous Curtezan - Mrs. Gwin.

Moretta, her Woman - Mrs. Leigh.

Callis, Governess to Florinda and Hellena - Mrs. Norris.

Lucetta, a jilting Wench - Mrs. Gillow.

Servants, other Masqueraders, Men and Women. -

Officers and Soldiers

PART I.

PROLOGUE

Written by a Person of Quality.WITS, like Physicians, never can agree,When of a different Society;And Rabel’s Drops were never more cry’d downBy all the Learned Doctors of the Town,Than a new Play, whose author is unknown:Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue(And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few,Than those with an insulting Pride do railAt all who are not of their own Cabal.If a Young Poet hit your Humour right,You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite;So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves,Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves:So that the Reason of the Grand Debate,

Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take,Is, that you censure as you love or hate.Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sitCatholick Judges both of Sense and Wit,And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.Yet those who to others Faults are so severe,Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.Some write correct indeed, but then the whole(Bating their own dull Stuff i’th’ Play) is stole:As Bees do suck from Flowers their Honey-dew,So they rob others, striving to please you.Some write their Characters genteel and fine,But then they do so toil for every Line,That what to you does easy seem, and plain,Is the hard issue of their labouring Brain.And some th’ Effects of all their Pains we see,Is but to mimick good Extempore.Others by long Converse about the Town,Have Wit enough to write a leud Lampoon,But their chief Skill lies in a Baudy Song.In short, the only Wit that’s now in FashionIs but the Gleanings of good Conversation.

As for the Author of this coming Play,I ask’d him what he thought fit I should say,In thanks for your good Company to day:He call’d me Fool, and said it was well known,You came not here for our sakes, but your own.New Plays are stuffed with Wits, and with Debauches,That croud and sweat like Cits in May-day Coaches.

.SCENE Naples, in Carnival-time.

ACT 1

SCENE 1. A chamber.Enter Florinda and Hellena.

Flor.What an impertinent thing is a young Girl bred in a Nunnery!How full of Questions! Prithee no more, Hellena; I have toldthee more than thou understand’st already.

HellThe more’s my Grief; I wou’d fain know as much as you, whichmakes me so inquisitive; nor is’t enough to know you’re a Lover,unless you tell me too, who ‘tis you sigh for.

Flor.When you are a Lover, I’ll think you fit for a Secret of thatnature.

Hell.‘Tis true, I was never a Lover yet- but I begin to have ashreud Guess, what ‘tis to be so, and fancy it very pretty tosigh, and sing, and blush and wish, and dream and wish, and long

and wish to see the Man; and when I do, look pale and tremble;just as you did when my Brother brought home the fine EnglishColonel to see you- what do you call him? Don Belvile.

Flor. Fie, Hellena.

HellThat Blush betrays you- I am sure ‘tis so- or is it DonAntonio the Vice-Roy’s Son?- or perhaps the rich DonVincentio, whom my father designs for your Husband?- Why doyou blush again?

FlorWith Indignation; and how near soever my Father thinks I amto marrying that hated Object, I shall let him see I understandbetter what’s due to my beauty Birth and Fortune, and more to mySoul, than to obey those unjust Commands.

Hell.Now hang me, if I don’t love thee for that dear Disobedience.I love Mischief strangely, as most of our Sex do, who are cometo love nothing else- But tell me, dear Florinda, don’t you lovethat fine Anglese?- For I vow next to loving him my self, ‘twillplease me most that you do so, for he is so gay and so handsom.

Flor. Hellena, a Maid design’d for a Nun ought not to be so curiousin a Discourse of Love.

Hell.And dost thou think that ever I’ll be a Nun? Or at leasttill I’m so old, I’m fit for nothing else. Faith no, Sister; andthat which makes me long to know whether you love Belvile, isbecause I hope he has some mad Companion or other, that willspoil my Devotion; nay I’m resolv’d to provide my self thisCarnival, if there be e’er a handsom Fellow of my Humour aboveGround, tho I ask first.

Flor. Prithee be not so wild.

Hell. Now you have provided your self with a Man, you take no Carefor poor me- Prithee tell me, what dost thou see about me thatis unfit for Love- have not I a world of Youth? a Humor gay? aBeauty passable? a Vigour desirable? well shap’d? clean limb’d?sweet breath’d? and Sense enough to know how all these ought tobe employ’d to the best Advantage: yes, I do and will. Thereforelay aside your Hopes of my Fortune, by my being a Devotee, and

tell me how you came acquainted with this Belvile; for Iperceive you knew Him before he came to Naples.

Flor. Yes, I knew him at the Siege of Pampelona, he was then aColonel of French Horse, who when the Town was ransack’d, no-blytreated my Brother and my self, preserving us from allInsolencies; and I must own, (besides great Obligations) I haveI know not what, that pleads kindly for him about my Heart, andwill suffer no other to enter- But see my Brother.

Enter Don Pedro, Stephano, with a Masquing Habit, and Callis.

PedroGood morrow, Sister. Pray, when saw you your Lover DonVincentio?

Flor.I know not, Sir- Callis, when was he here? for I consider itso little, I know not when it was.

Pedro.I have a Command from my Father here to tell you, you oughtnot to despise him, a Man of so vast a Fortune, and such aPassion for you- Stephano, my things-

[Puts on his Masquing Habit.

FlorA Passion for me! ‘tis more than e’er I saw, or had a desireshould be shown- I hate Vincentio, and I would not have a Man sodear to me as my Brother follow the ill Customs of our Country,and make a Slave of his Sister- And Sir, my Father’s Will, I’msure, you may divert.

PedroI know not how dear I am to you, but I wish only to berank’d in your Esteem, equal with the English Colonel Belvile-Why do you frown and blush? Is there any Guilt belongs to the

Name of that Cavalier?

Flor.I’ll not deny I value Belvile: when I was expos’d to suchDangers as the licens’d Lust of common Soldiers threatned, whenRage and Conquest flew thro the City- then Belvile, thisCriminal for my sake, threw himself into all Dangers to save myHonour, and will you not allow him my Esteem?

Pedro. Yes, pay him what you will in Honour- but you must considerDon Vincentio’s Fortune, and the Jointure he’ll make you.

FlorLet him consider my Youth, Beauty and Fortune; which oughtnot to be thrown away on his Age and Jointure.

Pedro‘Tis true, he’s not so young and fine a Gentleman as thatBelvile- but what jewels will that Cavalier present you with?those of his Eyes and Heart?

Hell.And are not those better than any Don Vincentio has broughtfrom the Indies?

Pedro. Why how now! Has your Nunnery-breeding taught you tounderstand the Value of Hearts and Eyes?

Hell.Better than to believe Vincentio deserves Value from anywoman- He may perhaps encrease her Bags, but not her Family.

Pedro. This is fine- Go up to your Devotion, you are not design’dfor the Conversation of Lovers.

Hell.Nor Saints yet a while I hope.

[Aside.Is’t not enough you make a Nun of me, but you must cast mySister away too, exposing her to a worse confinement than areligious Life?

Pedro.The Girl’s mad- Is it a Confinement to be carry’d into theCountry, to an ancient Villa belonging to the Family of theVincentio’s these five hundred Years, and have no other Prospectthan that pleasing one of seeing all her own that meets herEyes- a fine Air, large Fields and Gardens, where she may walk

and gather Flowers?

HellWhen? By Moon-Light? For I’m sure she dares not encounterwith the heat of the Sun; that were a Task only for DonVincentio and his Indian Breeding, who loves it in the Dog-days-And if these be her daily Divertisements, what are those of theNight? to lie in a wide Moth-eaten Bed-Chamber with Furniture inFashion in the Reign of King Sancho the First; the Bed thatwhich his Forefathers liv’d and dy’d in.

Pedro. Very well.

Hell. This Apartment (new furbisht and fitted out for the youngWife) he (out of Freedom) makes his Dressing-room; and being afrugal and a jealous Coxcomb, instead of a Valet to uncase hisfeeble Carcase, he desires you to do that Office- Signs ofFavour, I’ll assure you, and such as you must not hope for,unless your Woman be out of the way.

Pedro. Have you done yet?

Hell.That Honour being past, the Giant stretches it self, yawnsand sighs a Belch or two as loud as a Musket, throws himselfinto Bed, and expects you in his foul Sheets, and e’er you canget your self undrest, calls you with a Snore or two- And arenot these fine Blessings to a young Lady?

Pedro. Have you done yet?

Hell.And this man you must kiss, nay, you must kiss nay but himtoo- and nuzle thro his Beard to find his Lips- and this youmust submit to for threescore Years, and all for a Jointure.

PedroFor all your Character of Don Vincentio she is as like tomarry him as she was before.

Hell.Marry Don Vincentio! hang me, such a Wedlock would be worsethan Adultery with another Man: I had rather see her in theHostel de Dieu, to waste her Youth there in Vows, and be aHandmaid to Lazers and Cripples, than to lose it in such aMarriage.

PedroYou have consider’d, Sister, that Belvile has no Fortune tobring you to, is banisht his Country, despis’d at home, andpity’d abroad.

HellWhat then? the Vice-Roy’s Son is better than that Old SirFisty. Don Vincentio! Don Indian! he thinks he’s trading toGambo still, and wou’d barter himself (that Bell and Bawble) foryour Youth and Fortune.

PedroCallis, take her hence, and lock her up all this Carnival,and at Lent she shall begin her everlasting Penance in aMonastery.

Hell.I care not, I had rather be a Nun, than be oblig’d to marryas you wou’d have me, if I were design’d for’t.

PedroDo not fear the Blessing of that Choice- you shall be a Nun.

Hell. Shall I so? you may chance to be mistaken in my way ofDevotion- A Nun! yes I am like to make a fine Nun! I have anexcellent Humour for a Grate: No, I’ll have a Saint of my ownto pray to shortly, if I like any that dares venture onme.

Aside.

Pedro.Callis, make it your Business to watch this wild Cat. As foryou, Florinda, I’ve only try’d you all this while, and urg’d myFather’s Will; but mine is, that you would love Antonio, he isbrave and young, and all that can compleat the Happiness of agallant Maid- This Absence of my Father will give us opportunityto free you from Vincentio, by marrying here, which you must doto morrow.

Flor. To morrow!

Pedro.To morrow, or ‘twill be too late- ‘tis not my Friendship toAntonio, which makes me urge this, but Love to thee, and Hatredto Vincentio- therefore resolve upon’t to morrow.

Flor. Sir, I shall strive to do, as shall become your Sister.

PedroI’ll both believe and trust you- Adieu.

Ex. Ped. and Steph.

Hell.As become his Sister !- That is, to be as resolved your way,as he is his-

Hell.goes to Callis.

Flor.I ne’er till now perceiv’d my Ruin near,I’ve no Defence against Antonio’s Love,For he has all the Advantages of Nature,The moving Arguments of Youth and Fortune.

HellBut hark you, Callis, you will not be so cruel to lock me upindeed: will you?

Call. I must obey the Commands I hate- besides, do you consider

what a Life you are going to lead?

Hell.Yes, Callis, that of a Nun: and till then I’ll be indebted aWorld of Prayers to you, if you let me now see, what I neverdid, the Divertisements of a Carnival.

Call. What, go in Masquerade? ‘twill be a fine farewell to theWorld I take it- pray what wou’d you do there?

Hell.That which all the World does, as I am told, be as mad as therest, and take all innocent Freedom- Sister, you’ll go too, willyou not? come prithee be not sad- We’ll out-wit twenty Brothers,if you’ll be ruled by me- Come put off this dull Humour withyour Clothes, and assume one as gay, and as fantastick as theDress my Cousin Valeria and I have provided, and let’s ramble.

Flor. Callis, will you give us leave to go?

Call. I have a youthful Itch of going my self. [Aside.-Madam, if I thought your Brother might not know it, and I might

wait on you, for by my troth I’ll not trust young Girls alone.

FlorThou see’st my Brother’s gone already and thou shalt attendand watch us.

Enter Stephano.

Steph. Madam, the Habits are come, and your Cousin Valeria isdrest, and stays for you.

Flor‘Tis well- I’ll write a Note, and if I chance to see Belvile,and want an opportunity to speak to him, that shall let him knowwhat I’ve resolv’d in favour of him.

HellCome, let’s in and dress us.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A Long Street.Enter Belvile, melancholy, Blunt and Frederick.

Fred.Why, what the Devil ails the Colonel, in a time when all the

World is gay, to look like mere Lent thus? Hadst thou been longenough in Naples to have been in love, I should have sworn somesuch Judgment had befall’n thee.

Belv. No, I have made no new Amours since I came to Naples.

Fred. You have left none behind you in Paris.

BelvNeither.

Fred.I can’t divine the Cause then; unless the old Cause, the wantof Mony.

Blunt. And another old Cause, the want of a Wench- Wou’d not thatrevive you?

Belv. You’re mistaken, Ned.

BluntNay, ‘Sheartlikins, then thou art past Cure.

Fred.I have found it out; thou hast renew’d thy Acquaintance withthe Lady that cost thee so many Sighs at the Siege of Pampelona-pox on’t, what d’ye call her- her Brother’s a noble Spaniard-Nephew to the dead General- Florinda- ay, Florinda- And willnothing serve thy turn but that damn’d virtuous Woman, whom onmy Conscience thou lov’st in spite too, because thou seestlittle or no possibility of gaining her?

Belv. Thou art mistaken, I have Interest enough in that lovelyVirgin’s Heart, to make me proud and vain, were it not abated bythe Severity of a Brother, who perceiving my Happiness-

FredHas civilly forbid thee the House?

Belv.‘Tis so, to make way for a powerful Rival, the Vice-Roy’sSon, who has the advantage of me, in being a Man of Fortune, aSpaniard, and her Brother’s Friend; which gives him liberty tomake his Court, whilst I have recourse only to Letters, anddistant Looks from her Window, which are as soft and kind asthose which Heav’n sends down on Penitents.

Blunt.Hey day! ‘Sheartlikins, Simile! by this Light the Man isquite spoil’d- Frederick, what the Devil are we made of, that wecannot be thus concerned for a Wench?- ‘Sheartlikins, our Cupidsare like the Cooks of the Camp, they can roast or boil a Woman,but they have none of the fine Tricks to set ‘em off, no Hogoesto make the Sauce pleasant, and the Stomach sharp.

FredI dare swear I have had a hundred as young, kind and handsomas this Florinda; and Dogs eat me, if they were not astroublesom to me i’th’ Morning, as they were welcome o’er night.

BluntAnd yet, I warrant, he wou’d not touch another Woman, if hemight have her for nothing.

Belv.That’s thy joy, a cheap Whore.

Blunt. Why, ‘dsheartlikins, I love a frank Soul- When did you everhear of an honest Woman that took a Man’s Mony? I warrant ‘emgood ones- But, Gentlemen, you may be free, you have been keptso poor with Parliaments and Protectors, that the little Stock

you have is not worth preserving- but I thank my Stars, I havemore Grace than to forfeit my Estate by Cavaliering.

Belv. Methinks only following the Court should be sufficient toentitle ‘em to that.

Blunt.‘Sheartlikins, they know I follow it to do it no good,unless they pick a hole in my Coat for lending you Mony now andthen; which is a greater Crime to my Conscience, Gentlemen, thanto the Common-wealth.

Enter Willmore.

Will. Ha! dear Belvile! noble Colonel!

BelvWillmore! welcome ashore, my dear Rover!- what happy Windblew us this good Fortune?

Will. Let me salute you my dear Fred, and then command me- How is’thonest Lad?

Fred. Faith, Sir, the old Complement, infinitely the better to seemy dear mad Willmore again- Prithee why camest thou ashore?andwhere’s the Prince?

Will. He’s well, and reigns still Lord of the watery Element- Imust aboard again within a Day or two, and my Business ashorewas only to enjoy my self a little this Carnival.

Belv. Pray know our new Friend, Sir, he’s but bashful, a rawTraveller, but honest, stout, and one of us.

[Embraces Blunt.

Will. That you esteem him, gives him an interest here.

Blunt.Your Servant, Sir.

Will. But well- Faith I’m glad to meet you again in a warm Climate,where the kind Sun has its god-like Power still over the Wine

and Woman.- Love and Mirth are my Business in Naples; and if Imistake not the Place, here’s an excellent Market for Chapmen ofmy Humour.

Belv.See here be those kind Merchants of Love you look for.Enter several Men in masquing Habits, some playing on Musick,others dancing after; Women drest like Curtezans, with Paperspinn’d to their Breasts, and Baskets of Flowers in their Hands.

Blunt. ‘Sheartlikins, what have we here!

FredNow the Game begins.

Will.Fine pretty Creatures! may a stranger have leave to look andlove?- What’s here- Roses for every Month!

[Reads the Paper.

Blunt. Roses for every Month! what means that?

Belv. They are, or wou’d have you think they’re Curtezans, who here

in Naples are to be hir’d by the Month.

Will. Kind and obliging to inform us- Pray where do these Rosesgrow? I would fain plant some of ‘em in a Bed of mine.

Wom. Beware such Roses, Sir.

Will.A Pox of fear: I’ll be bak’d with thee between a pair ofSheets, and that’s thy proper Still, so I might but strow suchRoses over me and under me- Fair one, wou’d you wou’d give meleave to gather at your Bush this idle Month, I wou’d go near tomake some Body smell of it all the Year after.

BelvAnd thou hast need of such a Remedy, for thou stinkest ofTar and Rope-ends, like a Dock or Pesthouse.

[The Woman puts her self into the Hands of a Man, and Exit.

Will. Nay, nay, you shall not leave me so.

Belv. By all means use no Violence here.

Will. Death! just as I was going to be damnably in love, to haveher led off! I could pluck that Rose out of his Hand, and evenkiss the Bed, the Bush it grew in.

Fred No Friend to Love like a long Voyage at Sea.

Blunt. Excpt a Nunnery, Fred.

Will. Death! but will they not be kind, quickly be kind? Thouknow’st I’m no tame Sigher, but a rampant Lion of the Forest.Two Men drest all over with Horns of several sorts, makingGrimaces at one another, with Papers pinn’d on their Backs,advance from the farther end of the Scene.

Belv. Oh the fantastical Rogues, how they are dress’d! ‘tis a Satiragainst the whole Sex.

Will. Is this a Fruit that grows in this warm Country?

Belv.Yes: ‘Tis pretty to see these Italian start, swell, and stabat the Word Cuckold, and yet stumble at Horns on everyThreshold.

Will. See what’s on their Back- Flowers for every Night.

[Reads.-Ah Rogue! And more sweet than Roses of ev’ry Month! This is aGardiner of Adam’s own breeding.

[They dance.

Belv.What think you of those grave People?- is a Wake in Essexhalf so mad or extravagant?

Will.I like their sober grave way, ‘tis a kind of legal authoriz’dFornication, where the Men are not chid for’t, nor the Womendespis’d, as amongst our dull English; even the Monsieurs wantthat part of good Manners.

BelvBut here in Italy a Monsieur is the humblest best-bredGentleman- Duels are so baffled by Bravo’s that an age shews not

one, but between a Frenchman and a Hang-man, who is as muchtoohard for him on the Piazza, as they are for a Dutchman on thenew Bridge- But see another Crew.

Enter Florinda, Hellena, and Valeria, drest like Gipsies; Callisand Stephano, Lucetta, Philippo and Sancho in Masquerade.

Hell.Sister, there’s your Englishman, and with him a handsomproper Fellow- I’ll to him, and instead of telling him hisFortune, try my own.

WillGipsies, on my Life- Sure these will prattle if a Man crosstheir Hands.

[Goes to Hellena]- Dear pretty (and I hope) youngDevil, will you tell an amorous Stranger what Luck he’s like tohave?

Hell. Have a care how you venture with me, Sir, lest I pick yourPocket, which will more vex your English Humour, than an ItalianFortune will please you.

Will. How the Devil cam’st thou to know my Country and Humour?

Hell. The first I guess by a certain forward Impudence, which doesnot displease me at this time; and the Loss of your Money willvex you, because I hope you have but very little to lose.

Will. Egad Child, thou’rt i’th’ right; it is so little, I dare notoffer it thee for a Kindness- But cannot you divine what otherthings of more value I have about me, that I would morewillingly part with?

Hell.Indeed no, that’s the Business of a Witch, and I am but aGipsy yet- Yet, without looking in your Hand, I have a parlousGuess, ‘tis some foolish Heart you mean, an inconstant EnglishHeart, as little worth stealing as your Purse.

Will.Nay, then thou dost deal with the Devil, that’s certain- Thouhast guess’d as right as if thou hadst been one of that Numberit has languisht for- I find you’ll be better acquainted withit; nor can you take it in a better time, for I am come from

Sea, Child; and Venus not being propitious to me in her ownElement, I have a world of Love in store- Wou’d you would begood-natur’d, and take some on’t off my Hands.

Hell.Why- I could be inclin’d that way- but for a foolish Vow I amgoing to make- to die a Maid.

Will.Then thou art damn’d without Redemption; and as I am a goodChristian, I ought in charity to divert so wicked a Design-therefore prithee, dear Creature, let me know quickly when andwhere I shall begin to set a helping hand to so good a Work.

Hell.If you should prevail with my tender Heart (as I begin tofear you will, for you have horrible loving Eyes) there will bedifficulty in’t that you’ll hardly undergo for my sake.

Will. Faith, Child, I have been bred in Dangers, and wear a Swordthat has been employ’d in a worse Cause, than for a handsom kindWoman- Name the Danger- let it be any thing but a long Siege,and I’ll undertake it.

Hell. Can you storm?

Will. Oh, most furiously.

Hell. What think you of a Nunnery-wall? for he that wins me, mustgain that first.

Will. A Nun! Oh how I love thee for’t! there’s no Sinner like ayoung Saint- Nay, now there’s no denying me: the old Law had noCurse (to a Woman) like dying a Maid; witness Jephtha’sDaughter.

Hell.A very good Text this, if well handled; and I perceive,Father Captain, you would impose no severe Penance on her whowas inclin’d to console her self before she took Orders.

Will. If she be young and handsom.

Hell.Ay, there’s it- but if she be not-

Will. By this Hand, Child, I have an implicit Faith, and dareventure on thee with all Faults- besides, ‘tis more meritoriousto leave the World when thou hast tasted and prov’d thePleasure on’t; then ‘twill be a Virtue in thee, which now willbe pure Ignorance.

Hell.I perceive, good Father Captain, you design only to make mefit for Heaven- but if on the contrary you should quite divertme from it, and bring me back to the World again, I should havea new Man to seek I find; and what a grief that will be- forwhen I begin, I fancy I shall love like any thing: I never try’dyet.

Will.Egad, and that’s kind- Prithee, dear Creature, give me Creditfor a Heart, for faith, I’m a very honest Fellow- Oh, I long tocome first to the Banquet of Love; and such a swinging AppetiteI bring- Oh, I’m impatient. Thy Lodging, Sweetheart, thyLodging, or I’m a dead man.

Hell. Why must we be either guilty of Fornication or Murder, if weconverse With you Men?- And is there no difference between leaveto love me, and leave to lie with me?

Will. Faith, Child, they were made to go together.

Lucet. Are you sure this is the Man?[Pointing to Blunt.

Sancho. When did I mistake your Game?

Lucet. ‘This is a stranger, I know by his gazing; if he be briskhe’ll venture to follow me; and then, if I understand my Trade,he’s mine: he’s English too, and they say that’s a sort of goodnatur’d loving People, and have generally so kind an opinion ofthemselves, that a Woman with any Wit may flatter ‘em into anysort of Fool she pleases.

Blunt. ‘Tis so- she is taken- I have Beauties which my false Glassat home did not discover.

[She often passes by Blunt and gazes on him; he struts, and cocks, and walks,and gazes on her.

Flor. This Woman watches me so, I shall get no Opportunity todiscover my self to him, and so miss the intent of my coming-But as I was saying, Sir- by this Line you should be aLover.

[Looking in his Hand.

Belv.I thought how right you guess’d, all Men are in love, orpretend to be so- Come, let me go, I’m weary of thisfooling.

[Walks away.

Flor.I will not, till you have confess’d whether the Passion thatyou have vow’d Florinda be true or false.[She holds him, he strives to get from her.

Belv. Florinda!

[Turns quick towards her.

Flor. Softly.

Belv.Thou hast nam’d one will fix me here for ever.

Flor.She’ll be disappointed then, who expects you this Night atthe Garden-gate, and if you’ll fail not- as let me see the otherHand- you will go near to do- she vows to die or make you happy.

[Looks on Callis, who observes ‘em.

Belv.What canst thou mean?

Flor. That which I say- Farewel.

[Offers to go.

Belv.Oh charming Sybil, stay, complete that Joy, which, as it is,will turn into Distraction!- Where must I be? at the Garden-gate? I know it- at night you say- I’ll sooner forfeit Heaventhan disobey.

Enter Don Pedro and other Masquers, and pass over the Stage.

Call. Madam, your Brother’s here.

Flor.Take this to instruct you farther.

[Gives him a Letter, and goes off.

Fred. Have a care, Sir, what you promise; this may be a Trap laidby her Brother to ruin you.

BelvDo not disturb my Happiness with Doubts.

[Opens the Letter.

Will. My dear pretty Creature, a Thousand Blessings on thee; stillin this Habit, you say, and after Dinner at this Place.

Hell. Yes, if you will swear to keep your Heart, and not bestow itbetween this time and that.

Will. By all the little Gods of Love I swear, I’ll leave it withyou; and if you run away with it, those Deities of Justice willrevenge me.

[Ex. all the Women except Lucetta.

Fred.Do you know the Hand?

Belv. ‘Tis Florinda’s.All Blessings fall upon the virtuous Maid.

Fred. Nay, no Idolatry, a sober Sacrifice I’ll allow you.

Belv.Oh Friends! the welcom’st News, the softest Letter!- nay, youshall see it; and could you now be serious, I might be made thehappiest Man the Sun shines on.

Will.The Reason of this mighty Joy.

Belv. See how kindly she invites me to deliver her from thethreaten’d Violence of her Brother- will you not assist me?

Will.I know not what thou mean’st, but I’ll make one at anyMischief where a Woman’s concern’d- but she’ll be grateful to us

for the Favour, will she not?

Belv.How mean you?

Will.How should I mean? Thou know’st there’s but one way for aWoman to oblige me.

BelvDon’t prophane- the Maid is nicely virtuous.

WillWho pox, then she’s fit for nothing but a Husband; let here’en go, Colonel.

Fred. Peace, she’s the Colonel’s Mistress, Sir.

Will.Let her be the Devil; if she be thy Mistress, I’ll serve her-name the way.

Belv.Read here this Postcript[Gives him a Letter.

Will.[Reads.]

At Ten at night- at the Garden-Gate- of which, if Icannot get the Key, I will contrive a way over the Wall- comeattended with a Friend or two.- Kind heart, if we three cannotweave a String to let her down a Garden-Wall, ‘twere pity butthe Hangman wove one for us all.

Fred Let her alone for that: your Woman’s Wit, your fair kindWoman, will out-trick a Brother or a Jew, and contrive like aJesuit in Chains- but see, Ned Blunt is stoln out after the Lureof a Damsel.

[Ex. Blunt and Lucet.

Belv.So he’ll scarce find his way home again, unless we get himcry’d by the Bell-man in the Market-place, and ‘twou’d soundprettily- a lost English Boy of Thirty.

FredI hope ‘tis some common crafty Sinner, one that will fit him;it may be she’ll sell him for Peru, the Rogue’s sturdy and would

work well in a Mine; at least I hope she’ll dress him for ourMirth; cheat him of all, then have him well-favour’dly bang’d,and turn’d out naked at Midnight.

Will.Prithee what Humor is he of, that you wish him so well?

Belv.Why, of an English Elder Brother’s Humour, educated in aNursery, with a Maid to tend him till Fifteen, and lies with hisGrand-mother till he’s of Age; one that knows no Pleasure beyondriding to the next Fair, or going up to London with his rightWorshipful Father in Parliament-time; wearing gay Clothes, ormaking honourable Love to his Lady Mother’s Landry-Maid; getsdrunk at a Hunting-Match, and ten to one then gives some Proofsof his Prowess- A pox upon him, he’s our Banker, and has all ourCash about him, and if he fail we are all broke.

Fred.Oh let him alone for that matter, he’s of a damn’d stingyQuality, that will secure our Stock. I know not in what Dangerit were indeed, if the Jilt should pretend she’s in love withhim, for ‘tis a kind believing Coxcomb; otherwise if he partwith more than a Piece of Eight- geld him: for which offer he

may chance to be beaten, if she be a Whore of the first Rank.

Belv.Nay the Rogue will not be easily beaten, he’s stout enough;perhaps if they talk beyond his Capacity, he may chance toexercise his Courage upon some of them; else I’m sure they’llfind it as difficult to beat as to please him.

Will.‘Tis a lucky Devil to light upon so kind a Wench!

Fred. Thou hadst a great deal of talk with thy little Gipsy,coud’st thou do no good upon her? for mine was hard-hearted.

Will. Hang her, she was some damn’d honest Person of Quality, I’msure, she was so very free and witty. If her Face be butanswerable to her Wit and Humour, I would be bound to Con-stancythis Month to gain her. In the mean time have you made no kindAcquaintance since you came to Town?- You do not use to behonest so long, Gentlemen.

Fred. Faith Love has kept us honest, we have been all fir’d with aBeauty newly come to Town, the famous Paduana Angelica Bi-anca.

Will.What, the Mistress of the dead Spanish General?

Belv.Yes, she’s now the only ador’d Beauty of all the Youth inNaples, who put on all their Charms to appear lovely in hersight, their Coaches, Liveries, and themselves, all gay, as on aMonarch’s Birth-Day, to attract the Eyes of this fair Charmer,while she has the Pleasure to behold all languish for her thatsee her.

Fred.‘Tis pretty to see with how much Love the Men regard her, andhow much Envy the Women.

Will. What Gallant has she?

Belv.None, she’s exposed to Sale, and four Days in the Week she’s

yours- for so much a Month.

Will. The very Thought of it quenches all manner of Fire in me- yetprithee let’s see her.

Belv. Let’s first to Dinner, and after that we’ll pass the Day asyou please- but at Night ye must all be at my Devotion.

Will. I will not fail you.

[Exeunt.

ACT II

SCENE I. The Long Street. Enter Belvile and Frederick in Masquing-Habits, and Willmore in his ownClothes, with a Vizard in his Hand.

Will.But why thus disguis’d and muzzl’d?

Belv.Because whatever Extravagances we commit in these Faces, ourown may not be oblig’d to answer ‘em.

Will. I should have chang’d my Eternal Buff too: but no matter, mylittle Gipsy wou’d not have found me out then: for if she shouldchange hers, it is impossible I should know her, unless I shouldhear her prattle- A Pox on’t, I cannot get her out of my Head:Pray Heaven, if ever I do see her again, she prove damnableugly, that I may fortify my self against her Tongue.

Belv.Have a care of Love, for o’ my conscience she was not of aQuality to give thee any hopes.

WillPox on ‘em, why do they draw a Man in then? She has play’dwith my Heart so, that ‘twill never lie still till I have metwith some kind Wench, that will play the Game out with me- Ohfor my Arms full of soft, white, kind- Woman! such as I fancyAngelica.

Belv.This is her House, if you were but in stock to getadmittance; they have not din’d yet; I perceive the Picture isnot out.

Enter Blunt.

Will. I long to see the Shadow of the fair Substance, a Man maygaze on that for nothing.

Blunt. Colonel, thy Hand- and thine, Fred. I have been an Ass, adeluded Fool, a very Coxcomb from my Birth till this Hour, andheartily repent my little Faith.

Belv.What the Devil’s the matter with thee Ned?

Blunt.Oh such a Mistress, Fred. such a Girl!

Will.Ha! where? Fred. Ay where!

Blunt. So fond, so amorous, so toying and fine! and all for sheerLove, ye Rogue! Oh how she lookt and kiss’d! and sooth’d myHeart from my Bosom. I cannot think I was awake, and yetmethinks I see and feel her Charms still- Fred.- Try if she havenot left the Taste of her balmy Kisses upon my Lips-

[Kisses him.

Belv.Ha, ha, ha! Will. Death Man, where is she?

Blunt.What a Dog was I to stay in dull England so long- How have Ilaught at the Colonel when he sigh’d for Love! but now thelittle Archer has reveng’d him, and by his own Dart, I can guessat all his Joys, which then I took for Fancies, mere Dreams andFables- Well, I’m resolved to sell all in Essex, and plant herefor ever.

BelvWhat a Blessing ‘tis, thou hast a Mistress thou dar’st boastof; for I know thy Humour is rather to have a proclaim’d Clap,than a secret Amour.

Will. Dost know her Name?

Blunt.Her Name? No, ‘sheartlikins: what care I for Names?-She’s fair, young, brisk and kind, even to ravishment: and whata Pox care I for knowing her by another Title?

Will. Didst give her anything?

Blunt. Give her!- Ha, ha, ha! why, she’s a Person of Quality-That’s a good one, give her! ‘sheartlikins dost think suchCreatures are to be bought? Or are we provided for such aPurchase? Give her, quoth ye? Why she presented me with thisBracelet, for the Toy of a Diamond I us’d to wear: No,Gentlemen, Ned Blunt not every Body- She expects me again tonight.

Will. Egad that’s well; we’ll all go.Blunt. Not a Soul: No, Gentlemen, you are Wits; I am a dull Coun-tryRogue, I.

Fred.Well, Sir, for all your Person of Quality, I shall be veryglad to understand your Purse be secure; ‘tis our whole Estateat present, which we are loth to hazard in one Bottom: come,Sir, unload.

Blunt.Take the necessary Trifle, useless now to me, that ambelov’d by such a Gentlewoman- ‘sheartlikins Money! Here takemine too.

Fred. No, keep that to be cozen’d, that we may laugh.

Will. Cozen’d! Death! wou’d I cou’d meet with one, that wou’dcozen me of all the Love I cou’d spare to night.

Fred. Pox ‘tis some common Whore upon my Life.

Blunt. A Whore! yes with such Clothes! such Jewels! such a House!such Furniture, and so attended! a Whore!

Belv. Why yes, Sir, they are Whores, tho they’ll neither entertainyou with Drinking, Swearing, or Baudy; are Whores in all thosegay Clothes, and right Jewels; are Whores with great Housesrichly furnisht with Velvet Beds, Store of Plate, handsomeAttendance, and fine Coaches, are Whores and errant ones.

Will. Pox on’t, where do these fine Whores live?

Belv.Where no Rogue in Office yclep’d Constables dare give ‘emlaws, nor the Wine-inspired Bullies of the Town break theirWindows; yet they are Whores, tho this Essex Calf believe themPersons of Quality.

Blunt. ‘Sheartlikins, y’are all Fools, there are things about this

Essex Calf, that shall take with the Ladies, beyond all yourWits and Parts- This Shape and Size, Gentlemen, are not to bedespis’d; my Waste tolerably long, with other inviting Signs,that shall be nameless.

Will. Egad I believe he may have met with some Person of Qualitythat may be kind to him.

Belv.Dost thou perceive any such tempting things about him, shouldmake a fine Woman, and of Quality, pick him out from allMankind, to throw away her Youth and Beauty upon, nay, and herdear Heart too?- no, no, Angelica has rais’d the Price too high.

Will.May she languish for Mankind till she die, and be damn’d forthat one Sin alone.

Enter two Bravoes, and hang up a great Picture of Angelica’s, against the Bal-cony, and two little ones at each side of the Door.

Belv.See there the fair Sign to the Inn, where a Man may lodgethat’s Fool enough to give her Price.

Will. gazes on the Picture.

Blunt.‘Sheartlikins, Gentlemen, what’s this?

Belv. A famous Curtezan that’s to be sold.

Blunt. How! to be sold! nay then I have nothing to say to her-sold! what Impudence is practis’d in this Country?- With Orderand Decency Whoring’s established here by virtue of theInquisition- Come let’s be gone, I’m sure we’re no Chapmen forthis Commodity.

Fred.Thou art none, I’m sure, unless thou could’st have her in thyBed at the Price of a Coach in the Street.

Will. How wondrous fair she is- a Thousand Crowns a Month- byHeaven as many Kingdoms were too little. A plague of thisPoverty- of which I ne’er complain, but when it hinders myApproach to Beauty, which Virtue ne’er could purchase.

[Turns from the Picture.

Blunt. What’s this?-

[Reads] A Thousand Crowns a Month!-’Sheartlikins, here’s a Sum! sure ‘tis a mistake.-Hark you, Friend, does she take or give so much by the Month!

Fred. A Thousand Crowns! Why, ‘tis a Portion for the Infanta.

Blunt.Hark ye, Friends, won’t she trust?

Brav.This is a Trade, Sir, that cannot live by Credit.

Enter Don Pedro in Masquerade, follow’d Stephano.

BelvSee, here’s more Company, let’s walk off a while.Pedro Reads.

Exeunt English.Enter Angelica and Moretta in the Balcony, and draw a

Silk Curtain.

Ped.Fetch me a Thousand Crowns, I never wish to buy this Beauty atan easier Rate.Passes off.

Ang.Prithee what said those Fellows to thee?

Brav.Madam, the first were Admirers of Beauty only, but nopurchasers; they were merry with your Price and Picture, laughtat the Sum, and so past off.

Ang.No matter, I’m not displeas’d with their rallying; theirWonder feeds my Vanity, and he that wishes to buy, gives me morePride, than he that gives my Price can make me Pleasure.

Brav.Madam, the last I knew thro all his disguises to be DonPedro, Nephew to the General, and who was with him in Pam-pelona.

Ang.Don Pedro! my old Gallant’s Nephew! When his Uncle dy’d, heleft him a vast Sum of Money; it is he who was so in love with

me at Padua, and who us’d to make the General so jealous.

Moret. Is this he that us’d to prance before our Window and takesuch care to shew himself an amorous Ass? if I am not mistaken,he is the likeliest Man to give your Price.

Ang.The Man is brave and generous, but of an Humour so uneasy andinconstant that the victory over his Heart is as soon lost aswon; a Slave that can add little to the Triumph of theConqueror: but inconstancy’s the Sin of all Mankind, thereforeI’m resolv’d that nothing but Gold shall charm my Heart.

Moret. I’m glad on’t; ‘tis only interest that Women of ourProfession ought to consider: tho I wonder what has kept youfrom that general Disease of our Sex so long, I mean that ofbeing in love.

Ang. A kind, but sullen Star, under which I had the Happiness to beborn; yet I have had no time for Love; the bravest and noblestof Mankind have purchas’d my Favours at so dear a Rate, as if noCoin but Gold were current with our Trade- But here’s Don Pedro

again, fetch me my Lute- for ‘tis for him or Don Antonio theVice-Roy’s Son, that I have spread my Nets.

Enter at one Door Don Pedro, and Stephano; Don Antonio and Diego [his page],at the other Door, with People following him in Masquerade, antickly attir’d,some with Musick: they both go up to the Picture.

Ant.A thousand Crowns! had not the Painter flatter’d her, I shouldnot think it dear.

Pedro. Flatter’d her! by Heaven he cannot. I have seen theOriginal, nor is there one Charm here more than adorns her Faceand Eyes; all this soft and sweet, with a certain languishingAir, that no Artist can represent.

Ant. What I heard of her Beauty before had fir’d my Soul, but thisconfirmation of it has blown it into a flame.

Pedro. Ha!

Pag Sir, I have known you throw away a Thousand Crowns on a worse

Face, and tho y’are near your Marriage, you may venture alittle Love here; Florinda- will not miss it.

Pedro. Ha! Florinda! Sure ‘tis Antonio.

[aside.

Ant.Florinda! name not those distant Joys, there’s not one thoughtof her will check my Passion here.

Pedro. Florinda scorn’d! and all my Hopes defeated of thePossession of Angelica!

[A noise of a Lute above. Ant. gazes up.] Her Injuries by Heaven he shall not boast of.

[Song to a Lute above.

SONG. When Damon first began to love,He languisht in a soft Desire,And knew not how the Gods to move,To lessen or increase his Fire,For Caelia in her charming Eyes

Wore all Love’s Sweet, and all his Cruelties.

II.But as beneath a Shade he lay,Weaving of Flow’rs for Caelia’s Hair,She chanc’d to lead her Flock that way,And saw the am’rous Shepherd there.She gaz’d around upon the Place,And saw the Grove (resembling Night)To all the Joys of Love invite,Whilst guilty Smiles and Blushes drest her Face.At this the bashful Youth all Transport grew,And with kind Force he taught the Virgin howTo yield what all his Sighs cou’d never do.Ant. By Heav’n she’s charming fair!

[Angelica throws open the Curtains, and bows to Antonio, who pulls off his Viz-ard, and bows and blows up Kisses. Pedro unseen looks in his Face.

Pedro. ‘Tis he, the false Antonio!

Ant. Friend, where must I pay my offering of Love?

[To the Bravo.My Thousand Crowns I mean.

Pedro. That Offering I have design’d to make,And yours will come too late.

Ant.Prithee be gone, I shall grow angry else,And then thou art not safe.

Pedro. My Anger may be fatal, Sir, as yours;And he that enters here may prove this Truth.

Ant. I know not who thou art, but I am sure thou’rt worth mykilling, and aiming at Angelica.

[They draw and fight.

Enter Willmore and Blunt, who draw and part ‘em.

Blunt. ‘Sheartlikins, here’s fine doings.

Will.Tilting for the Wench I’m sure- nay gad, if that wou’d winher, I have as good a Sword as the best of ye- Put up- put up,and take another time and place, for this is design’d for Loversonly.They all put up.

Pedro. We are prevented; dare you meet me to morrow on the Molo?For I’ve a Title to a better quarrel,That of Florinda, in whose credulous HeartThou’st made an Int’rest, and destroy’d my Hopes.

Ant. Dare?I’ll meet thee there as early as the Day.

Pedro. We will come thus disguis’d, that whosoever chance to getthe better, he may escape unknown.

Ant.It shall be so.

Ex. Pedro and Stephano.Who shou’d this Rival be? unless the English Colonel, of whom

I’ve often heard Don Pedro speak; it must be he, and time hewere removed, who lays a Claim to all my Happiness.

[Willmore having gaz’d all this while on the Picture, pulls down a little one.

Will. This posture’s loose and negligent,The sight on’t wou’d beget a warm desireIn Souls, whom Impotence and Age had chill’d.-This must along with me.

Brav. What means this rudeness, Sir ?- restore the Picture.

Ant. Ha! Rudeness committed to the fair Angelica!- Restore thePicture, Sir.

Will. Indeed I will not, Sir.

Ant. By Heav’n but you shall.

Will.Nay, do not shew your Sword; if you do, by this dear Beauty-I will shew mine too.

Ant. What right can you pretend to’t?

Will.That of Possession which I will maintain- you perhaps have1000 Crowns to give for the Original.

Ant. No matter, Sir, you shall restore the Picture..

Ang. Oh, Moretta! what’s the matter?

[Ang. and Moret. above.

Ant.Or leave your Life behind.

Will. Death! you lye- I will do neither.

Ang. Hold, I command you, if for me you fight.

[They fight, the Spaniards join with Antonio, Bluntlaying on like mad. They leave off and bow.

Will. How heavenly fair she is!- ah Plague of her Price.

Ang.You Sir in Buff, you that appear a Soldier, that first beganthis Insolence.

Will. ‘Tis true, I did so, if you call it Insolence for a Man topreserve himself; I saw your charming Picture, and was wounded:quite thro my Soul each pointed Beauty ran; and wanting aThousand Crowns to procure my Remedy, I laid this little Pictureto my Bosom- which if you cannot allow me, I’ll resign.

Ang.No, you may keep the Trifle.

Ant. You shall first ask my leave, and this.

[Fight again as before. Enter Belv. and Fred. who join with the English.

Ang. Hold; will you ruin me?- Biskey, Sebastian, part them.

[The Spaniards are beaten off.

Moret. Oh Madam, we’re undone, a pox upon that rude Fellow, he’s

set on to ruin us: we shall never see good days, till all thesefighting poor Rogues are sent to the Gallies.

Enter Belvile, Blunt and Willmore, with his shirt bloody.

Blunt. ‘Sheartlikins, beat me at this Sport, and I’ll ne er wearSword more.

Belv. The Devil’s in thee for a mad Fellow, thou art always one atan unlucky Adventure.- Come, let’s be gone whilst we’re safe,and remember these are Spaniards, a sort of People that know howto revenge an Affront.

Fred. You bleed; I hope you are not wounded.To Will

Will. Not much:- a plague upon your Dons, if they fight no betterthey’ll ne’er recover Flanders.- What the Devil was’t to themthat I took down the Picture?

Blunt.Took it! ‘Sheartlikins, we’ll have the great one too; ‘tisours by Conquest.- Prithee, help me up, and I’ll pull it down.-

Ang.Stay, Sir, and e’er you affront me further, let me know howyou durst commit this Outrage- To you I speak, Sir, for youappear like a Gentleman.

Will.To me, Madam?- Gentlemen, your Servant.

[Belv. stays him.

Belv. Is the Devil in thee? Do’st know the danger of entring thehouse of an incens’d Curtezan?

Will. I thank you for your care- but there are other matters inhand, there are, tho we have no great Temptation.- Death! letme go.

Fred. Yes, to your Lodging, if you will, but not in here.- Damnthese gay Harlots- by this Hand I’ll have as sound and handsomea Whore for a Pattcoone.- Death, Man, she’ll murder thee.

Will. Oh! fear me not, shall I not venture where a Beauty calls? alovely charming Beauty? for fear of danger! when by Heaventhere’s none so great as to long for her, whilst I want Money topurchase her.

Fred.Therefore ‘tis loss of time, unless you had the thousandCrowns to pay.

Will.It may be she may give a Favour, at least I shall have thepleasure of saluting her when I enter, and when I depart.

Belv.Pox, she’ll as soon lie with thee, as kiss thee, and soonerstab than do either- you shall not go.Ang. Fear not, Sir, all I have to wound with, is my Eyes.

Blunt. Let him go, ‘Sheartlikins, I believe the Gentlewomen meanswell.

Belv.Well, take thy Fortune, we’ll expect you in the next Street.-

Farewell Fool,- farewell-

Will.B’ye Colonel- Goes in.

Fred. The Rogue’s stark mad for a Wench.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A Fine Chamber.Enter Willmore, Angelica, and Moretta.

Ang. Insolent Sir, how durst you pull down my Picture?

Will.Rather, how durst you set it up, to tempt poor amorousMortals with so much Excellence? which I find you have but toowell consulted by the unmerciful price you set upon’t.- Is allthis Heaven of Beauty shewn to move Despair in those that cannotbuy? and can you think the effects of that Despair shou’d beless extravagant than I have shewn?

Ang.I sent for you to ask my Pardon, Sir, not to aggravate your

Crime.- I thought, I shou’d have seen you at my Feet imploringit.

Will. You are deceived, I came to rail at you, and talk suchTruths, too, as shall let you see the Vanity of that Pride,which taught you how to set such a Price on Sin. For such it is,whilst that which is Love’s due is meanly barter’d for.

Ang.Ha, ha, ha, alas, good Captain, what pity ‘tis your edifyingDoctrine will do too good upon me- Moretta, fetch the Gentlemana Glass, and let him survey himself, to see what Charms he has,-and guess my Business. Aside in a soft tone.

Moret. He knows himself of old, I believe those Breeches and hehave been acquainted ever since he was beaten at Worcester.

Ang. Nay, do not abuse the poor Creature.-

MoretGood Weather-beaten Corporal, will you march off? we have noneed of your Doctrine, tho you have of our Charity; but at

present we have no Scraps, we can afford no kindness for God’ssake; in fine, Sirrah, the Price is too high i’th’ Mouth foryou, therefore troop, I say.

Will.Here, good Fore-Woman of the Shop, serve me, and I’ll begone.

Moret.Keep it to pay your Landress, your Linen stinks of theGun-Room; for here’s no selling by Retail.

Will. Thou hast sold plenty of thy stale Ware at a cheap Rate.

Moret.Ay, the more silly kind Heart I, but this is at an Agewherein Beauty is at higher Rates.- In fine, you know the priceof this.

Will.I grant you ‘tis here set down a thousand Crowns a Month-Baud, take your black Lead and sum it up, that I may have aPistole-worth of these vain gay things, and I’ll trouble you nomore.

Moret. Pox on him, he’ll fret me to Death:- abominable Fellow, Itell thee, we only sell by the whole Piece.

Will. ‘Tis very hard, the whole Cargo or nothing- Faith, Madam,my Stock will not reach it, I cannot be your Chapman.- Yet Ihave Countrymen in Town, Merchants of Love, like me; I’ll see ifthey’l put for a share, we cannot lose much by it, and what wehave no use for, we’ll sell upon the Friday’s Mart, at- Whogives more? I am studying, Madam, how to purchase you, tho atpresent I am unprovided of Money.

Ang.Sure, this from any other Man would anger me- nor shall heknow the Conquest he has made- Poor angry Man, how I despisethis railing.

Will.Yes, I am poor- but I’m a Gentleman,And one that scorns this Baseness which you practise.Poor as I am, I would not sell my self,No, not to gain your charming high-priz’d Person.Tho I admire you strangely for your Beauty,

Yet I contemn your Mind.-And yet I wou’d at any rate enjoy you;At your own rate- but cannot- See hereThe only Sum I can command on Earth;I know not where to eat when this is gone:Yet such a Slave I am to Love and Beauty,This last reserve I’ll sacrifice to enjoy you.-Nay, do not frown, I know you are to be bought,And wou’d be bought by me, by me,For a mean trifling Sum, if I could pay it down.Which happy knowledge I will still repeat,And lay it to my Heart, it has a Virtue in’t,And soon will cure those Wounds your Eyes have made.-And yet- there’s something so divinely powerful there-Nay, I will gaze- to let you see my Strength.

[Holds her, looks on her, and pauses and sighs.By Heaven, bright Creature- I would not for the WorldThy Fame were half so fair as is thy Face.

[Turns her away from him.

Ang. His word go thro me to the very Soul. Aside.-If you have nothing else to say to me.

WillYes, you shall hear how infamous you are-For which I do not hate thee:But that secures my Heart, and all the Flames it feelsAre but so many Lusts,I know it by their sudden bold intrusion.The Fire’s impatient and betrays, ‘tis false-For had it been the purer Flame of Love,I should have pin’d and languish’d at your Feet,E’er found the Impudence to have discover’d it.I now dare stand your Scorn, and your Denial.Moret. Sure she’s bewitcht, that she can stand thus tamely, andhear his saucy railing.- Sirrah, will you be gone?

Ang. How dare you take this liberty?- Withdraw.To Moret-Pray, tell me, Sir, are not you guilty of the same mercenaryCrime? When a Lady is proposed to you for a Wife, you never ask,how fair, discreet, or virtuous she is; but what’s her Fortune-which if but small, you cry- She will not do my business- andbasely leave her, tho she languish for you.- Say, is not this aspoor?

Will.It is a barbarous Custom, which I will scorn to defend in ourSex, and do despise in yours.

Ang. Thou art a brave Fellow! put up thy Gold, and know,That were thy Fortune large, as is thy Soul,Thou shouldst not buy my Love,Couldst thou forget those mean Effects of Vanity,Which set me out to sale; and as a Lover, prizeMy yielding Joys.Canst thou believe they’l be entirely thine,Without considering they were mercenary?

Will. I cannot tell, I must bethink me first- ha, Death, I’m goingto believe her.Aside.

Ang. Prithee, confirm that Faith- or if thou canst not flatter mea little, ‘twill please me from thy Mouth.

Will.Curse on thy charming Tongue! dost thou returnMy feign’d Contempt with so much subtilty?

Aside.Thou’st found the easiest way into my Heart,Tho I yet know that all thou say’st is false.

[Turning from her in a Rage.

Ang.By all that’s good ‘tis real,I never lov’d before, tho oft a Mistress.-Shall my first Vows be slighted?

Will. What can she mean?

Aside.

Ang.I find you cannot credit me.In an angry tone.

Will. I know you take me for an errant Ass,An Ass that may be sooth’d into Belief,And then be us’d at pleasure.-But, Madam I have been so often cheatedBy perjur’d, soft, deluding Hypocrites,That I’ve no Faith left for the cozening Sex,Especially for Women of your Trade.

Ang. The low esteem you have of me, perhapsMay bring my Heart again:For I have Pride that yet surmounts my Love.[She turns with Pride, he holds her.

Will. Throw off this Pride, this Enemy to Bliss,And shew the Power of Love: ‘tis with those ArmsI call be only vanquisht, made a Slave.

Ang. Is all my mighty Expectation vanisht?-No, I will not hear thee talk,- thou hast a CharmIn every word, that draws my Heart away.And all the thousand Trophies I design’d,Thou hast undone- Why art thou soft?Thy Looks are bravely rough, and meant for War.Could thou not storm on still?I then perhaps had been as free as thou.

Will.Death! how she throws her Fire about my Soul! Aside.-Take heed, fair Creature, how you raise my Hopes,

Which once assum’d pretend to all Dominion.There’s not a Joy thou hast in storeI shall not then command:For which I’ll pay thee back my Soul, my Life.Come, let’s begin th’ account this happy minute.

Ang. And will you pay me then the Price I ask?

Will. Oh, why dost thou draw me from an awful Worship,By shewing thou art no Divinity?Conceal the Fiend, and shew me all the Angel;Keep me but ignorant, and I’ll be devout,And pay my Vows for ever at this Shrine.

[Kneels, and kisses her Hand.

Ang. The Pay I mean is but thy love for mine.-Can you give that?

Will. Intirely- come, let’s withdraw: where I’ll renew my Vows,-and breathe ‘em with such Ardour, thou shalt not doubt my Zeal.

Ang.Thou hast a Power too strong to be resisted.

[Ex. Will. and Angelica.

Moret. Now my Curse go with you- Is all our Project fallen to this?to love the only Enemy to our Trade? Nay, to love such aShameroon, a very Beggar; nay, a Pirate-Beggar, whose Businessis to rifle and be gone, a No-Purchase, No-Pay Tatterdemalion,an English Piccaroon; a Rogue that fights for daily Drink, andtakes a Pride in being loyally lousy- Oh, I could curse now, ifI durst- This is the Fate of most Whores.Trophies, which from believing Fops we win,Are Spoils to those who cozen us again.

ACT III

SCENE I. A Street.Enter Florinda, Valeria, Hellena, in Antick different Dressesfrom what they were in before, Callis attending.

Flor.I wonder what should make my Brother in so ill a Humour: Ihope he has not found out our Ramble this Morning.

Hell.No, if he had, we should have heard on’t at both Ears, andhave been mew’d up this Afternoon; which I would not for theWorld should have happen’d- Hey ho! I’m sad as a Lover’s Lute.

Val. Well, methinks we have learnt this Trade of Gipsies as readilyas if we had been bred upon the Road to Loretto: and yet I didso fumble, when I told the Stranger his Fortune, that I wasafraid I should have told my own and yours by mistake- Butmethinks Hellena has been very serious ever since.

Flor. I would give my Garters she were in love, to be reveng’d upon

her, for abusing me- How is’t, Hellena?

Hell.Ah!- would I had never seen my mad Monsieur- and yet for allyour laughing I am not in love- and yet this small Acquaintance,o’my Conscience, will never out of my Head.

Val.Ha, ha, ha- I laugh to think how thou art fitted with a Lover,a Fellow that, I warrant, loves every new Face he sees.

Hell.Hum- he has not kept his Word with me here- and may be takenup- that thought is not very pleasant to me- what the Duceshould this be now that I feel?

Val. What is’t like?

Hell.Nay, the Lord knows- but if I should be hanged, I cannotchuse but be angry and afraid, when I think that mad Fellowshould be in love with any Body but me- What to think of my selfI know not- Would I could meet with some true damn’d Gipsy, thatI might know my Fortune.

Val.Know it! why there’s nothing so easy; thou wilt love thiswandring Inconstant till thou find’st thy self hanged about hisNeck, and then be as mad to get free again.

Flor. Yes, Valeria; we shall see her bestride his Baggage-horse,and follow him to the Campaign.

Hell o, so; now you are provided for, there’s no care taken ofpoor me- But since you have set my Heart a wishing, I amresolv’d to know for what. I will not die of the Pip, so I willnot.

Flor. Art thou mad to talk so? Who will like thee well enough tohave thee, that hears what a mad Wench thou art?

Hell. Like me! I don’t intend every he that likes me shall have me,but he that I like: I shou’d have staid in the Nunnery still, ifI had lik’d my Lady Abbess as well as she lik’d me. No, I camethence, not

(as my wise Brother imagines)

to take an eternalFarewel of the World, but to love and to be belov’d; and I willbe belov’d, or I’ll get one of your Men, so I will.

Val. Am I put into the Number of Lovers?

Hell. You! my Couz, I know thou art too good natur’d to leave us inany Design: Thou wou’t venture a Cast, tho thou comest off aLoser, especially with such a Gamester- I observ’d your Man, andyour willing Ears incline that way; and if you are not a Lover,‘tis an Art soon learnt- that I find.Sighs.

Flor. I wonder how you learnt to love so easily, I had a thousandCharms to meet my Eyes and Ears, e’er I cou’d yield; and ‘twasthe knowledge of Belvile’s Merit, not the surprising Person,took my Soul- Thou art too rash to give a Heart at first sight.

Hell.Hang your considering Lover; I ne’er thought beyond theFancy, that ‘twas a very pretty, idle, silly kind of Pleasure topass ones time with, to write little, soft, nonsensical Billets,and with great difficulty and danger receive Answers; in which I

shall have my Beauty prais’d, my Wit admir’d (tho little or none)

and have the Vanity and Power to know I am desirable; thenI have the more Inclination that way, because I am to be a Nun,and so shall not be suspected to have any such earthly Thoughtsabout me- But when I walk thus- and sigh thus- they’ll think myMind’s upon my Monastery, and cry, how happy ‘tis she’s soresolv’d!- But not a Word of Man.

Flor.What a mad Creature’s this!

Hell. I’ll warrant, if my Brother hears either of you sigh, hecries

(gravely)- I fear you have the Indiscretion to be in love,but take heed of the Honour of our House, and your own unspottedFame; and so he conjures on till he has laid the soft-wing’d Godin your Hearts, or broke the Birds-nest- But see here comes yourLover: but where’s my inconstant? let’s step aside, and we maylearn something. Go aside.

Enter Belvile, Fred. and Blunt.

Belv. What means this? the Picture’s taken in.

Blunt. t may be the Wench is good-natur’d, and will be kindgratis. Your Friend’s a proper handsom Fellow.

Belv.I rather think she has cut his Throat and is fled: I am madhe should throw himself into Dangers- Pox on’t, I shall want himto night- let’s knock and ask for him.

Hell.My heart goes a-pit a-pat, for fear ‘tis my Man they talk of.

[Knock, Moretta above.]

Moret. What would you have?

Belv. Tell the Stranger that enter’d here about two Hours ago, thathis Friends stay here for him.

Moret.A Curse upon him for Moretta, would he were at the Devil-but he’s coming to you.

[Enter Wilmore.]

Hell. I, I, ‘tis he. Oh how this vexes me.

Belv.And how, and how, dear Lad, has Fortune smil’d?Are we to break her Windows, or raise up Altars to her! hah!

Will.Does not my Fortune sit triumphantant on my Brow? dost notsee the little wanton God there all gay and smiling? have I notan Air about my Face and Eyes, that distinguish me from theCroud of common Lovers? By Heav’n, Cupid’s Quiver has not halfso many Darts as her Eyes- Oh such a Bona Roba, to sleep in herArms is lying in Fresco, all perfum’d Air about me.

Hell. Here’s fine encouragement for me to fool on Aside.

Will.Hark ye, where didst thou purchase that rich Canary we drankto-day? Tell me, that I may adore the Spigot, and sacrifice tothe Butt: the Juice was divine, into which I must dip my Rosary,and then bless all things that I would have bold or fortunate.

Belv.Well, Sir, let’s go take a Bottle, and hear the Story ofyour Success.

Fred. Would not French Wine do better?

Will. Damn the hungry Balderdash; cheerful Sack has a generousVirtue in’t, inspiring a successful Confidence, gives Eloquenceto the Tongue, and Vigour to the Soul; and has in a few Hourscompleated all my Hopes and Wishes. There’s nothing left toraise a new Desire in me- Come let’s be gay and wanton- and,Gentlemen, study, study what you want, for here are Friends,-that will supply, Gentlemen,- hark! what a charming sound theymake- ‘tis he and she Gold whilst here, shall beget newPleasures every moment.

Blunt. But hark ye, Sir, you are not married, are you?

Will. All the Honey of Matrimony, but none of the Sting, Friend.

Blunt.‘Sheartlikins, thou’rt a fortunate Rogue.

Will.I am so, Sir, let these inform you.- Ha, how sweetly theychime! Pox of Poverty, it makes a Man a Slave, makes Wit andHonour sneak, my Soul grew lean and rusty for want of Credit.

Blunt. ‘Sheartlikins, this I like well, it looks like my luckyBargain! Oh how I long for the Approach of my Squire, that is toconduct me to her House again. Why! here’s two provided for.

Fred.By this light y’re happy Men.

Blunt. Fortune is pleased to smile on us, Gentlemen,- to smile onus.

Enter Sancho, and pulls Blunt by the Sleeve. They go aside.

Sancho. Sir, my Lady expects you- she has remov’d all that mightoppose your Will and Pleasure- and is impatient till you come.

Blunt. Sir, I’ll attend you- Oh the happiest Rogue! I’ll take noleave, lest they either dog me, or stay me.

[Ex. with Sancho.]

Belv.But then the little Gipsy is forgot?

Will. A Mischief on thee for putting her into my thoughts; I hadquite forgot her else, and this Night’s Debauch had drunk herquite down.

Hell.Had it so, good Captain?Claps him on the Back.

Will.Ha! I hope she did not hear.

Hell.What, afraid of such a Champion!

Will. Oh! you’re a fine Lady of your word, are you not? to make aMan languish a whole day-

Hell.In tedious search of me.

Will.Egad, Child, thou’rt in the right, hadst thou seen what amelancholy Dog I have been ever since I was a Lover, how I havewalkt the Streets like a Capuchin, with my Hands in my Sleeves-Faith, Sweetheart, thou wouldst pity me.

Hell. Now, if I should be hang’d, I can’t be angry with him, hedissembles so heartily- Alas, good Captain, what pains you havetaken- Now were I ungrateful not to reward so true a Servant.

Will. Poor Soul! that’s kindly said, I see thou bearest aConscience- come then for a beginning shew me thy dear Face.

Hell. I’m afraid, my small Acquaintance, you have been staying thatswinging stomach you boasted of this morning; I remember thenmy little Collation would have gone down with you, without theSauce of a handsom Face- Is your Stomach so quesy now?

Will.Faith long fasting, Child, spoils a Man’s Appetite- yet ifyou durst treat, I could so lay about me still.

Hell. And would you fall to, before a Priest says Grace.

Will. Oh fie, fie, what an old out-of-fashion’d thing hast thounam’d? Thou could’st not dash me more out of Countenance,shouldst thou shew me an ugly Face.Whilst he is seemingly courting Hellena, enter Angelica,Moretta, Biskey, and Sebastian, an in Masquerade:

Ang.sees Will. and starts.Ang. Heavens, is’t he? and passionately fond to see anotherWoman?

Moret What cou’d you expect less from such a Swaggerer?

Ang.Expect! as much as I paid him, a Heart intire,Which I had pride enough to think when e’er I gave

It would have rais’d the Man above the Vulgar,Made him all Soul, and that all soft and constant.

Hell. You see, Captain, how willing I am to be Friends with you,till Time and Ill-luck make us Lovers; and ask you the Questionfirst, rather than put your Modesty to the blush, by asking me:for alas, I know you Captains are such strict Men, severeObservers of your Vows to Chastity, that ‘twill be hard toprevail with your tender Conscience to marry a young willing

Maid.Will. Do not abuse me, for fear I should take thee at thy word, andmarry thee indeed, which I’m sure will be Revenge sufficient.

Hell.O’ my Conscience, that will be our Destiny, because we areboth of one humour; I am as inconstant as you, for I haveconsidered, Captain, that a handsom Woman has a great deal to dowhilst her Face is good, for then is our Harvest-time to gatherFriends; and should I in these days of my Youth, catch a fit offoolish Constancy, I were undone; ‘tis loitering by day-light inour great Journey: therefore declare, I’ll allow but one yearfor Love, one year for Indifference, and one year for Hate- and

then- go hang your self- for I profess myself the gay, the kind,and the inconstant- the Devil’s in’t if this won’t please you.

Will. Oh most damnably!- I have a Heart with a hole quite thro ittoo, no Prison like mine to keep a Mistress in.

Ang.Perjur’d Man! how I believe thee now!Aside.

Hell.Well, I see our Business as well as Humours are alike, yoursto cozen as many Maids as will trust you, and I as many Men ashave Faith- See if I have not as desperate a lying look, as youcan have for the heart of you.

[Pulls off her Vizard; he starts.-How do you like it, Captain?

Will.Like it! by Heav’n, I never saw so much Beauty. Oh the Charmsof those sprightly black Eyes, that strangely fair Face, full ofSmiles and Dimples! those soft round melting cherry Lips! andsmall even white Teeth! not to be exprest, but silently adored!-Oh one Look more, and strike me dumb, or I shall repeat nothingelse till I am mad.

[He seems to court her to pull off her Vizard: she refuses.

Ang.I can endure no more- nor is it fit to interrupt him; for if Ido, my Jealousy has so destroy’d my Reason,- I shall undo him-Therefore I’ll retire. And you Sebastian

[To one of her Bravoes] follow that Woman, and learn who ‘tis; while you tellthe Fugitive, I would speak to him instantly.

[To the other Bravo. [Exit.][This while Flor. is talking to Belvile, who stands sullenly. Fred. courtingValeria.]

Val. Prithee, dear Stranger, be not so sullen; for tho you havelost your Love, you see my Friend frankly offers you hers, toplay with in the mean time.

Belv. Faith, Madam I am sorry I can’t play at her Game.

Fred.Pray leave your Intercession, and mind your own Affair,they’ll better agree apart; he’s a model Sigher in Company, but

alone no Woman escapes him.

Flor. Sure he does but rally- yet if it should be true- I’ll tempthim farther- Believe me, noble Stranger, I’m no common Mistress-and for a little proof on’t- wear this Jewel- nay, take it, Sir,‘tis right, and Bills of Exchange may sometimes miscarry.

Belv.Madam, why am I chose out of all Mankind to be the Object ofyour Bounty?

Val. There’s another civil Question askt.Fred. Pox of’s Modesty, it spoils his own Markets, and hindersmine.

Flor. Sir, from my Window I have often seen you; and Women ofQuality have so few opportunities for Love, that we ought tolose none.

Fred. Ay, this is something! here’s a Woman!- When shall I be blestwith so much kindness from your fair Mouth?- Take the Jewel,

Fool.[Aside to Belv].

Belv. You tempt me strangely, Madam, every way.

Flor So, if I find him false, my whole Repose is gone.

[Aside.

Belv.And but for a Vow I’ve made to a very fine Lady, thisGoodness had subdu’d me.

Fred.Pox on’t be kind, in pity to me be kind, for I am to thrivehere but as you treat her Friend.

Hell.Tell me what did you in yonder House, and I’ll unmasque.Will. Yonder House- oh- I went to- a- to- why, there’s a Friend ofmine lives there.

Hell.What a she, or a he Friend?

Will. A Man upon my Honour! a Man- A She Friend! no, no, Madam,youhave done my Business, I thank you.

Hell. And was’t your Man Friend, that had more Darts in’s Eyes thanCupid carries in a whole Budget of Arrows?

Will.So-

Hell. Ah such a Bona Roba: to be in her Arms is lying in Fresco,all perfumed Air about me- Was this your Man Friend too?

Will.So-

Hell.That gave you the He, and the She- Gold, that begets youngPleasures.

WillWell, well, Madam, then you see there are Ladies in theWorld, that will not be cruel- there are, Madam, there are-

Hell. And there be Men too as fine, wild, inconstant Fellows asyour self, there be, Captain, there be, if you go to that now-therefore I’m resolv’d-

Will. Oh!

Hell.To see your Face no more-

Will. Oh!

Hell. Till to morrow.

Will. Egad you frighted me.

Hell.Nor then neither, unless you’l swear never to see that Ladymore.

WillSee her!- why! never to think of Womankind again?

Hell. Kneel, and swear.Kneels, she gives him her hand. I do, never to think- to see- to love- nor lie with any butthy self. Kiss the Book.

Will. Oh, most religiously. Kisses her Hand.

Hell.Now what a wicked Creature am I, to damn a proper Fellow.Call. Madam, I’ll stay no longer, ‘tis e’en dark.

[To Flor.]

Flor.However, Sir, I’ll leave this with you- that when I’m gone,you may repent the opportunity you have lost by your modesty.

[Gives him the Jewel, which is herPicture, and Ex. he gazes after her.

Will. ‘Twill be an Age till to morrow,- and till then I will mostimpatiently expect you- Adieu, my dear pretty Angel..

[Ex. all the Women. ]

Belv.Ha! Florinda’s Picture! ‘twas she her self- what a dull Dogwas I? I would have given the World for one minute’s discoursewith her.-

Fred.This comes of your Modesty,- ah pox on your Vow, ‘twas ten toone but we had lost the Jewel by’t.

Belv.Willmore! the blessed’st Opportunity lost!- Florinda,Friends, Florinda!

Will. Ah Rogue! such black Eyes, such a Face, such a Mouth, suchTeeth,- and so much Wit!

Belv.Why, dost thou know her?Know her! ay, ay, and a Pox take me with all my Heart forbeing modest.

Will. But hark ye, Friend of mine, are you my Rival? and have Ibeen only beating the Bush all this while?

Belv.I understand thee not- I’m mad- see here-

[Shews the Picture.]

Will. Ha! whose Picture is this?- ‘tis a fine Wench.

Fred.The Colonel’s Mistress, Sir.

Will. Oh, oh, here- I thought it had been another Prize- come,come, a Bottle will set thee right again.

[Gives the Picture back.]

Belv.I am content to try, and by that time ‘twill be late enoughfor our Design.

Will. Agreed.Love does all day the Soul’s great Empire keep,But Wine at night lulls the soft God asleep.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. Lucetta’s House.Enter Blunt and Lucetta with a Light.

Luc.Now we are safe and free, no fears of the coming home of myold jealous Husband, which made me a little thoughtful when youcame in first- but now Love is all the business of my Soul.

Blunt.I am transported- Pox on’t, that I had but some fine thingsto say to her, such as Lovers use- I was a Fool not to learn ofFred. a little by Heart before I came- something I must say.-

[Aside].‘Sheartlikins, sweet Soul, I am not us’d to complement, but I’man honest Gentleman, and thy humble Servant.

Luc. I have nothing to pay for so great a Favour, but such a Loveas cannot but be great, since at first sight of that sweet Faceand Shape it made me your absolute Captive.

Blunt. Kind heart, how prettily she talks! Egad I’ll show herHusband a Spanish Trick; send him out of the World, and marryher: she’s damnably in love with me, and will ne’er mind

Settlements, and so there’s that sav’d.[Aside].

Luc.Well, Sir, I’ll go and undress me, and be with you instantly.

Blunt. Make haste then, for ‘dsheartlikins, dear Soul, thou canstnot guess at the pain of a longing Lover, when his Joys aredrawn within the compass of a few minutes.

Luc. You speak my Sense, and I’ll make haste to provide it.-

[Exit.]

Blunt.‘Tis a rare Girl, and this one night’s enjoyment with herwill be worth all the days I ever past in Essex.- Would she’d gowith me into England, tho to say truth, there’s plenty of Whoresthere already.- But a pox on ‘em they are such mercenaryprodigal Whores, that they want such a one as this, that’s freeand generous, to give ‘em Good Examples:- Why, what a Houseshehas! how rich and fine!

Enter Sancho.

Sancho. Sir, my Lady has sent me to conduct you to her Chamber.

Blunt. Sir, I shall be proud to follow- Here’s one of her Servantstoo: ‘dsheartlikins, by his Garb and Gravity he might be aJustice of Peace in Essex, and is but a Pimp here.

[Exeunt.]The Scene changes to a Chamber with an Alcove-Bed in it,a Table, &c. Lucetta in Bed.

Enter Sancho and Blunt,who takes the Candle of Sancho at the Door.Sanch. Sir, my Commission reaches no farther.Sir, I’ll excuse your Complement:- what, in Bed, my sweetMistress?

Luc.You see, I still out-do you in kindness.

Blunt. And thou shalt see what haste I’ll make to quit scores- ohthe luckiest Rogue!Undresses himself

Luc. Shou’d you be false or cruel now!

Blunt. False, ‘Sheartlikins, what dost thou take me for a Jew? aninsensible Heathen,- A Pox of thy old jealous Husband: and hewere dead, egad, sweet Soul, it shou’d be none of my fault, if Idid not marry thee.

Luc. It never shou’d be mine.

Blunt. Good Soul, I’m the fortunatest Dog!

Luc.Are you not undrest yet?

Blunt. As much as my Impatience will permit.

[Goes towards the Bed in his Shirt and Drawers. ]

Luc. Hold, Sir, put out the Light, it may betray us else.

Blunt.Any thing, I need no other Light but that of thine Eyes!-‘sheartlikins, there I think I had it.Aside.

[Puts out the Candle, the Bed descends,

he gropes about to find it.-Why- why- where am I got? what, not yet?- where are yousweetest? ah, the Rogue’s silent now- a pretty Love-trickthis- how she’ll laugh at me anon!- you need not, my dearRogue! you need not! I’m all on a fire already- come, come,now call me in for pity- Sure I’m enchanted! I have been roundthe Chamber, and can find neither Woman, nor Bed- I lockt theDoor, I’m sure she cannot go that way; or if she cou’d, the Bedcou’d not- Enough, enough, my pretty Wanton, do not carry theJest too far- Ha, betray’d! Dogs! Rogues! Pimps! help! help!

[Lights on a Trap, and is let down. ]Enter Lucetta, Philippo, and Sancho with a Light.

Phil.Ha, ha, ha, he’s dispatcht finely.

Luc. Now, Sir, had I been coy, we had mist of this Booty.

Phil.Nay when I saw ‘twas a substantial Fool, I was mollified; butwhen you doat upon a Serenading Coxcomb, upon a Face, fineClothes, and a Lute, it makes me rage.

Luc. You know I never was guilty of that Folly, my dear Philippo,but with your self- But come let’s see what we have got by this.

Phil.A rich Coat!- Sword and Hat!- these Breeches too- are welllin’d!- see here a Gold Watch!- a Purse- ha! Gold!- at least twohundred Pistoles! a bunch of Diamond Rings; and one with theFamily Arms!- a Gold Box!- with a Medal of his King! and hisLady Mother’s Picture!- these were sacred Reliques, believe me!-see, the Wasteband of his Breeches have a Mind of Gold!- OldQueen Bess’s. We have a Quarrel to her ever since Eighty Eight,and may therefore justify the Theft, the Inquisition might havecommitted it.

Luc. See, a Bracelet of bow’d Gold, these his Sister ty’d about hisArm at parting- but well- for all this, I fear his being aStranger may make a noise, and hinder our Trade with themhereafter.

Phil. That’s our security; he is not only a Stranger to us, but tothe Country too- the Common-Shore into which he is descended,

thou know’st, conducts him into another Street, which this Lightwill hinder him from ever finding again- he knows neither yourName, nor the Street where your House is, nay, nor the way tohis own Lodgings.

Luc. And art not thou an unmerciful Rogue, not to afford him oneNight for all this?- I should not have been such a Jew.

Phil. Blame me not, Lucetta, to keep as much of thee as I can to myself- come, that thought makes me wanton,- let’s to Bed,-Sancho, lock up these.This is the Fleece which Fools do bear,Design’d for witty Men to sheer.

[Exeunt.]The Scene changes, and discovers Blunt, creeping out of aCommon Shore, his Face, &c., all dirty.

Blunt. Oh Lord!Climbing up.I am got out at last, and

(which is a Miracle) without a Clue-

and now to Damning and Cursing,- but if that would ease me,where shall I begin? with my Fortune, my self, or the Quean thatcozen’d me- What a dog was I to believe in Women! Oh Coxcomb-ignorant conceited Coxcomb! to fancy she cou’d be enamour’dwithmy Person, at the first sight enamour’d- Oh, I’m a cursed Puppy,‘tis plain, Fool was writ upon my Forehead, she perceiv’d it,-saw the Essex Calf there- for what Allurements could there be inthis Countenance? which I can indure, because I’m acquaintedwith it- Oh, dull silly Dog! to be thus sooth’d into a Cozening!Had I been drunk, I might fondly have credited the young Quean!but as I was in my right Wits, to be thus cheated, confirms I ama dull believing English Country Fop.- But my Comrades! Deathand the Devil, there’s the worst of all- then a Ballad will besung to Morrow on the Prado, to a lousy Tune of the enchantedSquire, and the annihilated Damsel- But Fred. that Rogue, andthe Colonel, will abuse me beyond all Christian patience- hadshe left me my Clothes, I have a Bill of Exchange at home wou’dhave sav’d my Credit- but now all hope is taken from me- Well,I’ll home (if I can find the way) with this Consolation, that Iam not the first kind believing Coxcomb; but there are,Gallants, many such good Natures amongst ye.

And tho you’ve better Arts to hide your Follies,Adsheartlikins y’are all as errant Cullies.

SCENE III. The Garden, in the Night.Enter Florinda undress’d, with a Key, and a little Box.

Flor.Well, thus far I’m in my way to Happiness; I have got my selffree from Callis; my Brother too, I find by yonder light, isgone into his Cabinet, and thinks not of me: I have by goodFortune got the Key of the Garden Back-door,- I’ll open it, toprevent Belvile’s knocking,- a little noise will now alarm my

Brother.Now am I as fearful as a young Thief.

[Unlocks the Door.]- Hark- what noise is that?- Oh ‘twas the Wind that plaidamongst the Boughs.- Belvile stays long, methinks- its time-stay- for fear of a surprize, I’ll hide these Jewels in yonderJessamin.She goes to lay down the Box.Enter Willmore drunk.

Will. What the Devil is become of these Fellows, Belvile and

Frederick? They promis’d to stay at the next corner for me, butwho the Devil knows the corner of a full Moon?- Now- where-aboutsam I?- hah- what have we here? a Garden!- a very convenientplace to sleep in- hah- what has God sent us here?- a Female- bythis light, a Woman; I’m a Dog if it be not a very Wench.-

Flor. He’s come!- hah- who’s there?

Will.Sweet Soul, let me salute thy Shoe-string.

Flor.‘Tis not my Belvile- good Heavens, I know him not.- Who areyou, and from whence come you?

Will. Prithee- prithee, Child- not so many hard Questions- let itsuffice I am here, Child- Come, come kiss me.

Flor. Good Gods! what luck is mine?

Will. Only good luck, Child, parlous good luck.- Come hither,- ‘tis

a delicate shining Wench,- by this Hand she’s perfum’d, andsmells like any Nosegay.- Prithee, dear Soul, let’s not play theFool, and lose time,- precious time- for as Gad shall save me,I’m as honest a Fellow as breathes, tho I am a little disguis’dat present.- Come, I say,- why, thou may’st be free with me,I’ll be very secret. I’ll not boast who ‘twas oblig’d me, not I-for hang me if I know thy Name.

Flor. Heavens! what a filthy beast is this!

Will.I am so, and thou oughtst the sooner to lie with me for thatreason,- for look you, Child, there will be no Sin in’t, because‘twas neither design’d nor premeditated; ‘tis pure Accident onboth sides- that’s a certain thing now- Indeed should I makelove to you, and you vow Fidelity- and swear and lye till youbeliev’d and yielded- Thou art therefore (as thou art a goodChristian) oblig’d in Conscience to deny me nothing. Now- come,be kind, without any more idle prating.

Flor.Oh, I am ruin’d- wicked Man, unhand me.

Will.Wicked! Egad, Child, a Judge, were he young and vigorous, andsaw those Eyes of thine, would know ‘twas they gave the firstblow- the first provocation.- Come, prithee let’s lose no time,I say- this is a fine convenient place.

Flor.Sir, let me go, I conjure you, or I’ll call out.

Will. Ay, ay, you were best to call Witness to see how finely youtreat me- do.-

Flor.I’ll cry Murder, Rape, or any thing, if you do not instantlylet me go.

Will.A Rape! Come, come, you lye, you Baggage, you lye: What, I’llwarrant you would fain have the World believe now that you arenot so forward as I. No, not you,- why at this time of Night wasyour Cobweb-door set open, dear Spider- but to catch Flies?-Hah come- or I shall be damnably angry.- Why what a Coil ishere.-

Flor. Sir, can you think-

Will.That you’d do it for nothing? oh, oh, I find what you’d beat- look here, here’s a Pistole for you- here’s a work indeed-here- take it, I say.-

Flor. For Heaven’s sake, Sir, as you’re a Gentleman-

Will.So- now- she would be wheedling me for more- what, you willnot take it then- you’re resolv’d you will not.- Come, come,take it, or I’ll put it up again; for, look ye, I never givemore.- Why, how now, Mistress, are you so high i’th’ Mouth, aPistole won’t down with you?- hah- why, what a work’s here- ingood time- come, no struggling, be gone- But an y’are good at adumb Wrestle, I’m for ye,- look ye,- I’m for ye.

[She struggles with him.Enter Belvile and Frederick.

Bel.The Door is open a Pox of this mad fellow, I’m angry thatwe’ve lost him, I durst have sworn he had follow’d us.

Fred.But you were so hasty, Colonel, to be gone.

Flor. Help, help,- Murder!- help- oh, I’m ruin’d.

Belv. Ha, sure that’s Florinda’s Voice.Comes up to them.-A Man! Villain, let go that Lady. A noise.

Will.turns and draws, Fred. interposes.

FlorBelvile! Heavens! my Brother too is coming, and ‘twill beimpossible to escape.- Belvile, I conjure you to walk under myChamber-window, from whence I’ll give you some instructionswhatto do- This rude Man has undone us.

Exit.

Will.Belvile!

Enter Pedro, Stephano, and other Servants with Lights.

Ped. I’m betray’d; run, Stephano, and see if Florinda be safe.

Exit Steph. So whoe’er they be, all is not well, I’ll to Florinda’s Chamber.They fight, and Pedro’s Party beats ‘em out;going out, meets Stephano.

Steph.You need not, Sir, the poor Lady’s fast asleep, and thinksno harm: I wou’d not wake her, Sir, for fear of frightning herwith your danger.

Ped. I’m glad she’s there- Rascals, how came the Garden- Door open?

Steph. That Question comes too late, Sir: some of myFellow-Servants Masquerading I’ll warrant.

Ped. Masquerading! a leud Custom to debauch our Youth- there’ssomething more in this than I imagine.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE IV. Changes to the Street.Enter Belvile in Rage, Fred. holding him, and Willmoremelancholy.

Will. Why, how the Devil shou’d I know Florinda?

Belv.Ah plague of your ignorance! if it had not been Florinda,must you be a Beast ?- a Brute, a senseles Swine?

Will.Well, Sir, you see I am endu’d with Patience- I can bear- thoegad y’re very free with me methinks,- I was in good hopes theQuarrel wou’d have been on my side, for so uncivillyinterrupting me.

Belv. Peace, Brute, whilst thou’rt safe- oh, I’m distracted.

Will. Nay, nay, I’m an unlucky Dog, that’s certain.

Belv.Ah curse upon the Star that rul’d my Birth! or whatsoeverother Influence that makes me still so wretched.

Will.Thou break’st my Heart with these Complaints; there is noStar in fault, no Influence but Sack, the cursed Sack I drank.

Fred. Why, how the Devil came you so drunk?

Will. Why, how the Devil came you so sober?

Belv.A curse upon his thin Skull, he was always before-hand thatway.

Fred.Prithee, dear Colonel, forgive him, he’s sorry for his fault.

Belv.He’s always so after he has done a mischief- a plague on allsuch Brutes.

Will. By this Light I took her for an errant Harlot.

Belv. Damn your debaucht Opinion: tell me, Sot, hadst thou so muchsense and light about thee to distinguish her to be a Woman, and

could’st not see something about her Face and Person, to strikean awful Reverence into thy Soul?

Will.Faith no, I consider’d her as mere a Woman as I could wish.

Belv.‘Sdeath I have no patience- draw, or I’ll kill you.Will. Let that alone till to morrow, and if I set not all rightagain, use your Pleasure.

Belv. To morrow, damn it.The spiteful Light will lead me to no happiness.To morrow is Antonio’s, and perhapsGuides him to my undoing;- oh that I could meetThis Rival, this powerful Fortunate.

Will. What then?

Belv. Let thy own Reason, or my Rage instruct thee.

Will.I shall be finely inform’d then, no doubt; hear me, Colonel-

hear me- shew me the Man and I’ll do his Business.

Belv.I know him no more than thou, or if I did, I should not needthy aid.

Will.This you say is Angelica’s House, I promis’d the kind Baggageto lie with her to Night. Offers to go in.

Enter Antonio and his Page. Ant. knocks on the Hilt of his Sword.

Ant.You paid the thousand Crowns I directed?

Page. To the Lady’s old Woman, Sir, I did.Will. Who the Devil have we here?

Belv.I’ll now plant my self under Florinda’s Window, and if I findno comfort there, I’ll die.

[Ex. Belv. and Fred.]Enter Moretta.

Moret. Page!

Page.Here’s my Lord.

Will. How is this, a Piccaroon going to board my Frigate! here’sone Chase-Gun for you.

[Drawing his Sword, justles Ant. who turns anddraws. They fight, Ant. falls.

Moret. Oh, bless us, we are all undone!Runs in, and shuts the Door.

Page. Help, Murder!

[Belvile returns at the noise of fighting. ]

Belv. Ha, the mad Rogue’s engag’d in some unlucky Adventure again.

Enter two or three Masqueraders.

Masq. Ha, a Man kill’d!

Will. How! a Man kill’d! then I’ll go home to sleep.

[Puts up, and reels out. Ex. Masquers another way.

Belv. Who shou’d it be! pray Heaven the Rogue is safe, for all myQuarrel to him.

[As Belvile is groping about, enter an Officer and six Soldiers.

Sold.Who’s there?

Offic. So, here’s one dispatcht- secure the Murderer.

Belv.Do not mistake my Charity for Murder:I came to his Assistance.Soldiers seize on Belvile.

Offic.That shall be tried, Sir.- St. Jago, Swords drawn in theCarnival time!Goes to Antonio.

Ant. Thy Hand prithee.

Offic. Ha, Don Antonio! look well to the Villain there.-How is’t Sir?

Ant. I’m hurt.

Belv. Has my Humanity made me a Criminal?

Offic.Away with him.

Belv.What a curst Chance is this!

Ex. Soldiers with Belv.

Ant. This is the Man that has set upon me twice- carry him to myApartment till you have further Orders from me.

To the Officer. Ex. Ant. led.

ACT IV.

SCENE I. A fine Room.Discovers Belvile, as by Dark alone.

Belv.When shall I be weary of railing on Fortune, who is resolv’dnever to turn with Smiles upon me?- Two such Defeats in oneNight- none but the Devil and that mad Rogue could havecontriv’d to have plagued me with- I am here a Prisoner- butwhere?- Heaven knows- and if there be Murder done, I can soondecide the Fate of a Stranger in a Nation without Mercy- Yetthis is nothing to the Torture my Soul bows with, when I thinkof losing my fair, my dear Florinda.- Hark- my Door opens- aLight- a Man- and seems of Quality- arm’d too.- Now shall I dielike a Do, without defence.

Enter Antonio in a Night-Gown, with a Light; his Armin a Scarf, and a Sword under his Arm: He sets theCandle on the Table.

Ant.Sir, I come to know what Injuries I have done you, that couldprovoke you to so mean an Action, as to attack me basely,

without allowing time for my Defence.

Belv. Sir, for a Man in my Circumstances to plead Innocence, wouldlook like Fear- but view me well, and you will find no marks ofa Coward on me, nor any thing that betrays that Brutality youaccuse me of.

Ant.In vain, Sir, you impose upon my Sense, You are not only hewho drew on me last Night, But yesterday before the same House,that of Angelica. Yet there is something in your Face and Mein-

Belv.I own I fought to day in the defence of a Friend of mine,with whom you

(if you’re the same) and your Party were firstengag’d. Perhaps you think this Crime enough to kill me,But if you do, I cannot fear you’ll do it basely.

Ant. No, Sir, I’ll make you fit for a Defence with this.

[Gives him the Sword.]

Belv.This Gallantry surprizes me- nor know I how to use thisPresent, Sir, against a Man so brave.

Ant.You shall not need;For know, I come to snatch you from a DangerThat is decreed against you;Perhaps your Life, or long Imprisonment:And ‘twas with so much Courage you offended,I cannot see you punisht.

Belv. How shall I pay this Generosity?

Ant. It had been safer to have kill’d another,Than have attempted me:To shew your Danger, Sir, I’ll let you know my Quality;And ‘tis the Vice-Roy’s Son whom you have wounded.

Belv.The Vice-Roy’s Son!Death and Confusion! was this Plague reservedTo compleat all the rest?- oblig’d by him!

The Man of all the World I would destroy. Aside.

Ant. You seem disorder’d, Sir.

Belv. Yes, trust me, Sir, I am, and ‘tis with painThat Man receives such Bounties,Who wants the pow’r to pay ‘em back again.

Ant. To gallant Spirits ‘tis indeed uneasy;-But you may quickly over-pay me, Sir.

Belv. Then I am well- kind Heaven! but set us even,That I may fight with him, and keep my Honour safe. [Aside.-Oh, I’m impatient, Sir, to be discountingThe mighty Debt I owe you; command me quickly-

Ant. I have a Quarrel with a Rival, Sir,About the Maid we love.

Belv.Death, tis Florinda he means-

That Thought destroys my Reason, and I shall kill him-Aside.

Ant. My Rival, Sir.Is one has all the Virtues Man can boast of.

Belv.Death! who shou’d this be?Aside.

Ant.He challeng’d me to meet him on the Molo,As soon as Day appear’d; but last Night’s quarrelHas made my Arm unfit to guide a Sword.

Belv.I apprehend you, Sir, you’d have me kill the ManThat lays a claim to the Maid you speak of.-I’ll do’t- I’ll fly to do it.

Ant. Sir, do you know her?

Belv. No, Sir, but ‘tis enough she is admired by you.

Ant.Sir, I shall rob you of the Glory on’t,For you must fight under my Name and Dress.

Belv.That Opinion must be strangely obliging that makesYou think I can personate the brave Antonio,Whom I can but strive to imitate.

Ant. You say too much to my Advantage.Come, Sir, the Day appears that calls you forth.Within, Sir, is the Habit

Exit Antonio.

Belv.Fantastick Fortune, thou deceitful Light,That cheats the wearied Traveller by Night,Tho on a Precipice each step you tread,I am resolv’d to follow where you lead.

Exit.

SCENE II. The Molo.Enter Florinda and Callis in Masques, with Stephano.

Flor. I’m dying with my fears; Belvile’s not coming,As I expected, underneath my Window,Makes me believe that all those Fears are true.Aside.-Canst thou not tell with whom my Brother fights?

Steph.No, Madam, they were both in Masquerade, I was by when theychalleng’d one another, and they had decided the Quarrel then,but were prevented by some Cavaliers; which made ‘em put it offtill now- but I am sure ‘tis about you they fight.

Flor. Nay then ‘tis with Belvile, for what other Lover have I thatdares fight for me, except Antonio? and he is too much in favourwith my Brother- If it be he, for whom shall I direct my Prayersto Heaven?

Aside.

Steph. Madam, I must leave you; for if my Master see me, I shall behang’d for being your Conductor.- I escap’d narrowly for theExcuse I made for you last night i’th’ Garden.

Flor.And I’ll reward thee for’t- prithee no more.

Exit. Steph. Enter Don Pedro in his Masquing Habit.

Pedro. Antonio’s late to day, the place will fill, and we may beprevented.Walks about.

Flor.o. But who would not excuse a happy Lover.When soft fair Arms comfine the yielding Neck;And the kind Whisper languishingly breathes,Must you be gone so soon?Sure I had dwelt for ever on her Bosom.-But stay, he’s here.

Enter Belvile drest in Antonio’s Clothes.

Flor. ‘Tis not Belvile, half my Fears are vanisht.

Pedro. Antonio!-

Belv. This must be he.Aside.You’re early, Sir,- I do not use to be out-done this way.

Pedro. The wretched, Sir, are watchful, and’ tis enoughYou have the advantage of me in Angelica.

Belv.Angelica!Or I’ve mistook my Man! Or else Antonio,Can he forget his Interest in Florinda,And fight for common Prize? Aside.

Pedro. Come, Sir, you know our terms-

Belv. By Heaven, not I. Aside.-No talking, I am ready, Sir.

[Offers to fight. Flor. runs in. ]-

Flor. Oh, hold! whoe’er you be, I do conjure you bold.If you strike here- I die-To Belv.

Pedro. Florinda!

Belv. Florinda imploring for my Rival!

Pedro.Away, this Kindness is unseasonable.

[Puts her by, they fight; she runs in justas Belv. disarms Pedro.

Flor.Who are you, Sir, that dare deny my Prayers?

Belv.Thy Prayers destroy him; if thou wouldstpreserve him.Do that thou’rt unacquainted with, and curse him.

[She holds him.]

Flor. By all you hold most dear, by her you love,I do conjure you, touch him not.

Belv.By her I love!

See- I obey- and at your Feet resignThe useless Trophy of my Victory.Lays his sword at her Feet.

Pedro.Antonio, you’ve done enough to prove you love Florinda.

Belv.Love Florinda!Does Heaven love Adoration, Pray’r, or Penitence?Love her! here Sir,- your Sword again.Snatches up the Sword, and gives it him.Upon this Truth I’ll fight my Life away.

Pedro.No, you’ve redeem’d my Sister, and my Friendship.

Belv.Don Pedro!He gives him Flor. and pulls off his Vizard toshew his Face, and puts it on again.

Pedro.Can you resign your Claims to other Women,And give your Heart intirely to Florinda?

Belv. Intire, as dying Saints Confessions are.I can delay my happiness no longer.This minute let me make Florinda mine:

Pedro. This minute let it be- no time so proper,This Night my Father will arrive from Rome,And possibly may hinder what we propose.

Flor. Oh Heavens! this Minute!Enter Masqueraders, and pass over.

Belv. Oh, do not ruin me!

Pedro. The place begins to fill; and that we may not be observ’d,do you walk off to St. Peter’s Church, where I will meet you,and conclude your Happiness.

Belv.I’ll meet you there- if there be no more Saints Churches inNaples.

Aside.

Flor.Oh stay, Sir, and recall your hasty Doom:Alas I have not yet prepar’d my HeartTo entertain so strange a Guest.

Pedro. Away, this silly Modesty is assum’d too late.

Belv.Heaven, Madam! what do you do?

Flor.Do! despise the Man that lays a Tyrant’s ClaimTo what he ought to conquer by Submission.

Belv.You do not know me- move a little this way.Draws her aside.

Flor.Yes, you may even force me to the Altar,But not the holy Man that offers thereShall force me to be thine.Pedro talks to Callis this while.

Belv. Oh do not lose so blest an opportunity!See- ‘tis your Belvile- not Antonio,Whom your mistaken Scorn and Anger ruins.Pulls off his Vizard.

Flor.Belvile!Where was my Soul it cou’d not meet thy Voice,And take this knowledge in?As they are talking, enter Willmore finely drest,and Frederick.

Will.No Intelligence! no News of Belvile yet- well I am the mostunlucky Rascal in Nature- ha!- am I deceiv’d- or is it he-look, Fred.- ‘tis he- my dear Belvile.[Runs and embraces him. Belv. Vizard falls out on’s Hand.]

Belv. Hell and Confusion seize thee!

Pedro.Ha! Belvile! I beg your Pardon, Sir.Takes Flor. from him.

Belv.Nay, touch her not, she’s mine by Conquest, Sir. I won herby my Sword.

Will.Did’st thou so- and egad, Child, we’ll keep her by theby the Sword.Draws on Pedro, Belv. goes between.

Belv.Stand off.Thou’rt so profanely leud, so curst by Heaven,All Quarrels thou espousest must be fatal.

Will. Nay, an you he so hot, my Valour’s coy,And shall be courted when you want it next.Puts up his Sword.

Belv.You know I ought to claim a Victor’s Right,To Pedro.But you’re the Brother to divine Florinda,To whom I’m such a Slave- to purchase her,I durst not hurt the Man she holds so dear.

Pedro. ‘Twas by Antonio’s, not by Belvile’s Sword,This Question should have been decided, Sir:I must confess much to your Bravery’s due,Both now, and when I met you last in Arms.But I am nicely punctual in my word,As Men of Honour ought, and beg your Pardon.-For this Mistake another Time shall clear.-This was some Plot between you and Belvile:But I’ll prevent you. [Aside to Flor. as they are going out.

Belv. looks after her, and begins to walk up anddown in a Rage.

Will. Do not be modest now, and lose the Woman: but if we shallfetch her back, so-

Belv.Do not speak to me.

Will.Not speak to you!- Egad, I’ll speak to you, and will beanswered too.

Belv. Will you, Sir?

Will. I know I’ve done some mischief, but I’m so dull a Puppy,that I am the Son of a Whore, if I know how, or where- pritheeinform my Understanding.-

Belv. Leave me I say, and leave me instantly.

Will.I will not leave you in this humour, nor till I know myCrime.

Belv.Death, I’ll tell you, Sir-Draws and runs at Will. he runs out; Belv.after him, Fred. interposes.

Enter Angelica, Moretta, and Sebastian.

Ang.Ha- Sebastian- Is not that Willmore? haste, haste and bring,him back.

Fred.The Colonel’s mad- I never saw him thus before; I’ll after‘em, lest he do some mischief, for I am sure Willmore will notdraw on him.

Exit.

Ang.I am all Rage! my first desires defeatedFor one, for ought he knows, that has noOther Merit than her Quality,-Her being Don Pedro’s Sister- He loves her:I know ‘tis so- dull, dull, insensible-He will not see me now tho oft invited;And broke his Word last night- false perjur’d Man!-He that but yesterday fought for my Favours,And would have made his Life a SacrificeTo’ve gain’d one Night with me,Must now be hired and courted to my Arms.

Moret.I told you what wou’d come on’t, but Moretta’s an olddoating Fool- Why did you give him five hundred Crowns, but toset himself out for other Lovers? You shou’d have kept him

poor, if you had meant to have had any good from him.

Ang.Oh, name not such mean Trifles.- Had I given him allMy Youth has earn’d from Sin,I had not lost a Thought nor Sigh upon’t.But I have give him my eternal Rest,My whole Repose, my future Joys, my Heart;My Virgin Heart. Moretta! oh ‘tis gone!

Moret.Curse on him, here he comes;How fine she has made him too!

Enter Willmore and Sebast. Ang. turns and walks away.

Will. How now, turn’d Shadow?Fly when I pursue, and follow when I fly!Stay gentle Shadow of my Dove,Sings.And tell me e’er I go,Whether the Substance may not proveA fleeting Thing like you.There’s a soft kind Look remaining yet.As she turns she looks on him.

Ang. Well, Sir, you may be gay; all Happiness, all Joys pursue youstill, Fortune’s your Slave, and gives you every hour choice ofnew Hearts and Beauties, till you are cloy’d with the repeatedBliss, which others vainly languish for- But know, false Man,that I shall be reveng’d. Turns away in a Rage.

Will. So, ‘gad, there are of those faint-hearted Lovers, whom sucha sharp Lesson next their Hearts would make as impotent asFourscore- pox o’ this whining- my Bus’ness is to laugh andlove- a pox on’t; I hate your sullen Lover, a Man shall lose asmuch time to put you in Humour now, as would serve to gain anewWoman.

Ang. I scorn to cool that Fire I cannot raise,Or do the Drudgery of your virtuous Mistress.

Will. A virtuous Mistress! Death, what a thing thou hast found outfor me! why what the Devil should I do with a virtuous Woman?- afort of ill-natur’d Creatures, that take a Pride to torment a

Lover. Virtue is but an Infirmity in Women, a Disease thatrenders even the handsom ungrateful; whilst the ill-favour’d,for want of Sollicitations and Address, only fancy themselvesso.- I have lain with a Woman of Quality, who has all the whilebeen railing at Whores.

Ang.I will not answer for your Mistress’s Virtue,Tho she be young enough to know no Guilt:And I could wish you would persuade my Heart,‘Twas the two hundred thousand Crowns you courted.

Will. Two hundred thousand Crowns! what Story’s this?- what Trick?-what Woman?- ha.

Ang. How strange you make it! have you forgot the Creature youentertain’d on the Piazza last night?

Will.Ha, my Gipsy worth two hundred thousand Crowns!- oh how Ilong to be with her- pox, I knew she was of Quality.

[Aside.

AngFalse Man, I see my Ruin in thy Face.How many vows you breath’d upon my Bosom,Never to be unjust- have you forgot so soon?

Will. Faith no, I was just coming to repeat ‘em- but here’s aHumour indeed- would make a Man a Saint- Wou’d she’d be angryenough to leave me, and command me not to wait on her.

Enter Hellena, drest in Man’s Clothes.

Hell. This must be Angelica, I know it by her mumping Matron here-Ay, ay, ‘tis she: my mad Captain’s with her too, for all hisswearing- how this unconstant Humour makes me love him:- pray,good grave Gentlewoman, is not this Angelica?

Moret.My too young Sir, it is- I hope ‘tis one from Don Antonio.

Goes to Angelica.

Hell.Well, something I’ll do to vex him for this.

[Aside].

Ang.I will not speak with him; am I in humour to receive a Lover?

Will.Not speak with him! why I’ll be gone- and wait your idlerminutes- Can I shew less Obedience to the thing I love sofondly?Offers to go.

Ang.A fine Excuse this- stay-

Will. And hinder your Advantage: should I repay your Bounties soungratefully?

Ang. Come hither, Boy,- that I may let you seeHow much above the Advantages you nameI prize one Minute’s Joy with you.

Will. Oh, you destroy me with this Endearment.Impatient to be gone.-Death, how shall I get away?- Madam, ‘twill not befit I should be seen with you- besides, it will not be

convenient and I’ve a Friend- that’s dangerously sick.

Ang. I see you’re impatient- yet you shall stay.

Will. And miss my Assignation with my Gipsy.Aside, and walks about impatiently.

Hell. Madam, Moretta brings Hellena, who addressesYou’l hardly pardon my Intrusion,

(her self to Angelica.When you shall know my Business;And I’m too young to tell my Tale with Art:But there must be a wolidrous store of GoodnessWhere so much Beauty dwells.

Ang.A pretty Advocate, whoever sent thee,-Prithee proceed- Nay, Sir, you shall not go.To Will. who is stealing off.

Will. Then shall I lose my dear Gipsy for ever.

-Pox on’t, she stays me out of spite. Aside.

Hell. I am related to a Lady, Madam,Young, rich, and nobly born, but has the fateTo be in love with a young English Gentleman.Strangely she loves him, at first sight she lov’d him,But did adore him when she heard him speak;For he, she said, had Charms in every word,That fail’d not to surprize, to wound, and conquer-

Will. Ha, Egad I hope this concerns me. Aside

Ang. ‘Tis my false Man, he means- wou’d he were gone.This Praise will raise his Pride and ruin me- Well,Since you are so impatient to be gone,I will release you, Sir.To Will.

Will.Nay, then I’m sure ‘twas me he spoke of, this cannot be theEffects of Kindness in her.Aside.-No, Madam, I’ve consider’d better on’t,And will not give you cause of Jealousy.

Ang.But, Sir, I’ve- business, that-

Will. This shall not do, I know ‘tis but to try me.

Ang. Well, to your Story, Boy,- tho ‘twill undo me.

Aside.

Hell. With this Addition to his other Beauties,He won her unresisting tender Heart,He vow’d and sigh’d, and swore he lov’d her dearly;And she believ’d the cunning Flatterer,And thought her self the happiest Maid alive:To day was the appointed time by both,To consummate their Bliss;The Virgin, Altar, and the Priest were drest,And whilst she languisht for the expected Bridegroom,She heard, he paid his broken Vows to you.

Will. So, this is some dear Rogue that’s in love with me, and thisway lets me know it; or if it be not me, she means some one

whose place I may supply.Aside.

Ang. Now I perceive The cause of thy Impatience to be gone,And all the business of this glorious Dress.

Will. Damn the young Prater, I know not what he means.

Hell.Madam,In your fair Eyes I read too much concernTo tell my farther Business.

Ang. Prithee, sweet youth, talk on, thou may’st perhapsRaise here a Storm that may undo my Passion,And then I’ll grant thee any thing.

Hell.Madam, ‘tis to intreat you,

(oh unreasonable!)You wou’d not see this Stranger; ;For if you do, she vows you are undone,

Tho Nature never made a Man so excellent;And sure he’ad been a God, but for Inconstancy.

Will. Ah, Rogue, how finely he’s instructed!Aside.-’Tis plain some Woman that has seen me en passant.

Ang.Oh, I shall burst with Jealousy! do you know the Man you speakof?-

Hell. Yes, Madam, he us’d to be in Buff and Scarlet.

Ang. Thou, false as Hell, what canst thou say to this?

[To Will.]

Will.By Heaven-Ang. Hold, do not damn thy self-

Hell. Nor hope to be believ’d.

[He walks about, they follow.

Ang. Oh, perjur’d Man!Is’t thus you pay my generous Passion back?

Hell. Why wou’d you, Sir, abuse my Lady’s Faith?

Ang. And use me so inhumanly?

Hell. A Maid so young so innocent-

Will. Ah, young Devil!

Ang. Dost thou not know thy Life is in my Power?

Hell. Or think my Lady cannot be reveng’d?

Will. So, so, the Storm comes finely on.Aside.

Ang. Now thou art silent, Guilt has struck thee dumb. Oh, hadst

thou still been so, I’d liv’d in safety.[She turns away and weeps.

Will. Sweetheart, the Lady’s Name and House- quickly: I’mimpatient to be with her.

[Aside to Hellena, looks towards Angel. to watch her turning;] and as she comestowards them, he meets her.

Hell. So now is he for another Woman.

Aside.

Will. The impudent’st young thing in Nature!I cannot persuade him out of his Error, Madam.

Ang.I know he’s in the right,- yet thou’st a Tongue That wou’dpersuade him to deny his Faith. In Rage walks away.

Will. Her Name, her Name, dear Boy- Said softly to Hell.Hell Have you forgot it, Sir?

Will. Oh, I perceive he’s not to know I am a Stranger to his Lady.

[Aside.]-Yes, yes, I do know- but- I have forgot the- Angel. turns.-By Heaven, such early confidence I never saw.

Ang. Did I not charge you with this Mistress, Sir?Which you denied, tho I beheld your Perjury.This little Generosity of thine has render’d back my Heart.Walks away.

Will. So, you have made sweet work here, my little mischief;Look your Lady be kind and good-natur’d now, orI shall have but a cursed Bargain on’t.Ang. turns towards them.-The Rogue’s bred up to Mischief,Art thou so great a Fool to credit him?

Ang. Yes, I do; and you in vain impose upon me.-Come hither, Boy- Is not this he you speak of?Hell.I think- it is; I cannot swear, but I vow he has just such

another lying Lover’s look.[Hell. looks in his Face, he gazes on her.

Will. Hah! do not I know that Face?-By Heaven, my little Gipsy! what a dull Dog was I?Had I but lookt that way, I’d known her.Are all my hopes of a new Woman banisht?

Aside.-Egad, if I don’t fit thee for this, hang me.-Madam, I have found out the Plot.

Hell.Oh Lord, what does he say? am I discover’d now?

Will.Do you see this young Spark here?

Hell. He’ll tell her who I am.

Will. Who do you think this is?

Hell.Ay, ay, he does know me.- Nay, dear Captain, I’m undone if

you discover me.

Will.Nay, nay, no cogging; she shall know what a precious MistressI have.

Hell. Will you be such a Devil?

Will. Nay, nay, I’ll teach you to spoil sport you will not make.-This small Ambassador comes not from a Person of Quality, as youimagine, and he says; but from a very errant Gipsy, thetalkingst, pratingst, cantingst little Animal thou ever saw’st.Ang. What news you tell me! that’s the thing I mean.

Hell.Wou’d I were well off the place.- If ever I go a Captain-hunting again.-

Aside.

Will.Mean that thing? that Gipsy thing? thou may’st as well bejealous of thy Monkey, or Parrot as her: a German Motion wereworth a dozen of her, and a Dream were a better Enjoyment, a

Creature of Constitution fitter for Heaven than Man.

Hell. Tho I’m sure he lyes, yet this vexes me.

Aside.

Ang.You are mistaken, she’s a Spanish WomanMade up of no such dull Materials.

Will.Materials! Egad, and she be made of any that will eitherdispense, or admit of Love, I’ll be bound to countinence.

Hell. Unreasonable Man, do you think so?

Aside to him.

Will. You may Return, my little Brazen Head, and tell your Lady,that till she be handsom enough to be belov’d, or I dull enoughto be religious, there will be small hopes of me.

Ang. Did you not promise then to marry her?

Will. Not I, by Heaven.

Ang. You cannot undeceive my fears and torments, till you havevow’d you will not marry her.

Hell. If he swears that, he’ll be reveng’d on me indeed for all myRogueries.

Ang.I know what Arguments you’ll bring against me, Fortune andHonour.

Will. Honour! I tell you, I hate it in your Sex; and those thatfancy themselves possest of that Foppery, are the mostimpertinently troublesom of all Woman-kind, and will transgressnine Commandments to keep one: and to satisfy your Jealousy Iswear-

Hell.Oh, no swearing, dear Captain-

Aside to him.

Will.If it were possible I should ever be inclin’d to marry, itshould be some kind young Sinner, one that has Generosity enoughto give a favour handsomely to one that can ask it discreetly,one that has Wit enough to manage an Intrigue of Love- oh, howcivil such a Wench is, to a Man than does her the Honour tomarry her.

Ang.By Heaven, there’s no Faith in any thing he says.

Enter Sebastian.

Sebast. Madam, Don Antonio-

Ang.Come hither.

Hell.Ha, Antonio! he may be coming hither, and he’ll certainlydiscover me, I’ll therefore retire without a Ceremony.

[Exit Hellena.

Ang.I’ll see him, get my Coach ready.

Sebast. It waits you, Madam.

Will.This is lucky: what, Madam, now I may be gone and leave youto the enjoyment of my Rival?

Ang.Dull Man, that callst not see how ill, how poorThat false dissimulation looks- Be gone,And never let me see thy cozening Face again,Lest I relapse and kill thee.

Will. Yes, you can spare me now,- farewell till you are in a betterHumour- I’m glad of this release-Now for my Gipsy:For tho to worse we change, yet still we findNew Joys, New Charms, in a new Miss that’s kind.

[Ex. Will.

Ang.He’s gone, and in this Ague of My SoulThe shivering Fit returns;Oh with what willing haste he took his leave,As if the long’d for Minute were arriv’d,

Of some blest Assignation.In vain I have consulted all my Charms,In vain this Beauty priz’d, in vain believ’dMy eyes cou’d kindle any lasting Fires.I had forgot my Name, my Infamy,And the Reproach that Honour lays on thoseThat dare pretend a sober passion here.Nice Reputation, tho it leave behindMore Virtues than inhabit where that dwells,Yet that once gone, those virtues shine no more.-Then since I am not fit to belov’d,I am resolv’d to think on a RevengeOn him that sooth’d me thus to my undoing.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. A Street.Enter Florinda and Valeria in Habits different fromwhat they have been seen in.

Flor.We’re happily escap’d, yet I tremble still.

Val. A Lover and fear! why, I am but half a one, and yet I haveCourage for any Attempt. Would Hellena were here. I wou’d fainhave had her as deep in this Mischief as we, she’ll fare but illelse I doubt.

Flor. She pretended a Visit to the Augustine Nuns, but I believesome other design carried her out, pray Heavens we light on her.-Prithee what didst do with Callis?

Val. When I saw no Reason wou’d do good on her, I follow’d her intothe Wardrobe, and as she was looking for something in a greatChest, I tumbled her in by the Heels, snatcht the Key of theApartment where you were confin’d, lockt her in, and left herbauling for help.

Flor. ‘Tis well you resolve to follow my Fortunes, for thou darestnever appear at home again after such an Action.

Val. That’s according as the young Stranger and I shall agree- Butto our business- I deliver’d your Letter, your Note to Belvile,

when I got out under pretence of going to Mass, I found him athis Lodging, and believe me it came seasonably; for never wasMan in so desperate a Condition. I told him of your Resolutionof making your escape to day, if your Brother would be absentlong enough to permit you; if not, die rather than beAntonio’s.

Flor. Thou shou’dst have told him I was confin’d to my Chamber uponmy Brother’s suspicion, that the Business on the Molo was a Plotlaid between him and I.

Val. I said all this, and told him your Brother was now gone to hisDevotion and he resolves to visit every Church till he find him;and not only undeceive him in that, but caress him so as shalldelay his return home.

Flor. Oh Heavens! he’s here, and Belvile with him too.They put on their Vizards.

Enter Don Pedro, Belvile, Willmore; Belvile and DonPedro seeming in serious Discourse.

Val. Walk boldly by them, I’ll come at a distance, lest he suspectus. She walks by them, and looks back on them.

Will. Ha! A Woman! and of an excellent Mien!

Ped.She throws a kind look back on you.

Will. Death, tis a likely Wench, and that kind look shall not becast away- I’ll follow her.

Belv. Prithee do not.Will. Do not! By Heavens to the Antipodes, with such an Invita-tion.

She goes out, and Will. follows her.

Belv. ‘Tis a mad Fellow for a Wench.

Enter Fred.

Fred. Oh Colonel, such News.

Belv.Prithee what?

Fred. News that will make you laugh in spite of Fortune.

Belv. What, Blunt has had some damn’d Trick put upon him, cheated,bang’d, or clapt?

Fred. Cheated, Sir, rarely cheated of all but his Shirt andDrawers; the unconscionable Whore too turn’d Him out beforeConsummation, so that traversing, the Streets at Midnight, theWatch found him in this Fresco, and conducted him home: ByHeaven ‘tis such a slight, and yet I durst as well have beenhang’d as laugh at him, or pity him; he beats all that do butask him a Question, and is in such an Humour-

Ped. Who is’t has met with this ill usage, Sir?

Belv. A Friend of ours, whom you must see for Mirth’s sake. I’llimploy him to give Florinda time for an escape.

Aside.

Ped. Who is he?

Belv. A young Countryman of ours, one that has been educated at soplentiful a rate, he yet ne’er knew the want of Money, and‘twill be a great Jest to see how simply he’ll look without it.For my part I’ll lend him none, and the Rogue knows not how toput on a borrowing Face, and ask first. I’ll let him see howgood ‘tis to play our parts whilst I play his- Prithee, Fred.do go home and keep him in that posture till we come.

[Exeunt.] Enter Florinda from the farther end of the Scene,

looking behind her.

Flor. I am follow’d still- hah- my Brother too advancing this way,good Heavens defend me from being seen by him.She goes off.

Enter Willmore, and after him Valeria, at a little distance.

Will. Ah! There she sails, she looks back as she were willing to be

boarded, I’ll warrant her Prize.He goes out, Valeria following.

Enter Hellena, just as he goes out, with a Page.

Hell. Hah, is not that my Captain that has a Woman in chase?- ‘tisnot Angelica. Boy, follow those People at a distance, and bringme an Account where they go in.- I’ll find his Haunts, andplague him every where.- ha- my Brother!

Exit Page.Bel. Wil. Ped. cross the Stage: Hell. runs off. Scene changes to another Street. Enter Florinda.

Flor. What shall I do, my Brother now pursues me. Will no kindPower protect me from his Tyranny? Hah, here’s a Door open,I’ll venture in, since nothing can be worse than to fall intohis Hands, my Life and Honour are at stake, and my Necessity hasno choice.She goes in.

Enter Valeria, and Hellena’s Page Peeping after Florinda.

Pag.Here she went in, I shall remember this House.

[Exit Boy.

Val. This is Belvile’s Lodgings; she’s gone in as readily as if sheknew it- hah- here’s that mad Fellow again, I dare not venturein- I’ll watch my Opportunity.

Goes aside. Enter Willmore, gazing about him.

Will. I have lost her hereabouts- Pox on’t she must not scapeme so.

[Goes out. ]-Scene changes to Blunt’s Chamber, discovers him sittingon a Couch in his Shirt and Drawers, reading.

Blunt.So, now my Mind’s a little at Peace, since I have resolv’dRevenge- A Pox on this Taylor tho, for not bringing home theClothes I bespoke; and a Pox of all poor Cavaliers, a Man cannever keep a spare Suit for ‘em; and I shall have these Roguescome in and find me naked; and then I’m undone; but I’m resolv’dto arm my self- the Rascals shall not insult over me too much.

[Puts on an old rusty Sword and Buff-Belt.-Now, how like a Morrice-Dancer I am equipt- a fine Lady-like

Whore to cheat me thus, without affording me a Kindness for myMoney, a Pox light on her, I shall never be reconciled to theSex more, she has made me as faithless as a Physician, asuncharitable as a Churchman, and as ill-natur’d as a Poet. O howI’ll use all Women-kind hereafter! what wou’d I give to have oneof ‘em within my reach now! any Mortal thing in Petticoats,kind Fortune, send me; and I’ll forgive thy last Night’s Malice-Here’s a cursed Book too,

(a Warning to all young Travellers)that can instruct me how to prevent such Mischiefs now ‘tis toolate. Well ‘tis a rare convenient thing to read a little now andthen, as well as hawk and hunt.

Sits down again and reads.Enter to him Florinda.

Flor. This House is haunted sure ‘tis is well furnisht and noliving thing inhabits it- hah- a Man! Heavens how he’s attir’d!sure ‘tis some Rope-dancer, or Fencing-Master; I tremble nowfor fear, and yet I must venture now to speak to him- Sir, if Imay not interrupt your Meditations- He starts up and gazes.

Blunt. Hah- what’s here? Are my wishes granted? and is not that ashe Creature? Adsheartlikins ‘tis! what wretched thing art thou-hah!

Flor. Charitable Sir, you’ve told your self already what I am; avery wretched Maid, forc’d by a strange unlucky Accident, toseek a safety here, and must be ruin’d, if you do not grant it.

Blunt. Ruin’d! Is there any Ruin so inevitable as that which nowthreatens thee? Dost thou, know, miserable Woman, into what Denof Mischiefs thou art fall’n? what a Bliss of Confusion?- hah-dost not see something in my looks that frights thy guilty Soul,and makes thee wish to change that Shape of Woman for any hum-bleAnimal or Devil? for those were safer for thee, and lessmischievous.

Flor. Alas, what mean you, Sir? I must confess your Looks havesomething in ‘em makes me fear; but I beseech you, as you seema Gentleman, pity a harmless Virgin, that takes your House for

Sanctuary.

Blunt. Talk on, talk on, and weep too, till my faith return. Doflatter me out of my Senses again- a harmless Virgin with a Pox,as much one as t’other, adsheartlikins. Why, what the Devil canI not be safe in my house for you? not in my Chamber? nay, evenbeing naked too cannot secure me. This is an Impudence greaterthan has invaded me yet.- Come, no Resistance.Pulls her rudely.

Flor. Dare you be so cruel?

Blunt. Cruel, adsheartlikins as a Gally-slave, or a Spanish Whore:Cruel, yes, I will kiss and beat thee all over; kiss, and seethee all over; thou shalt lie with me too, not that I care forthe Injoyment, but to let you see I have ta’en deliberatedMalice to thee, and will be revenged on one Whore for the Sinsof another; I will smile and deceive thee, flatter thee, andbeat thee, kiss and swear, and lye to thee, imbrace thee androb thee, as she did me, fawn on thee, and strip thee starknaked, then hang thee out at my Window by the Heels, with a

Paper of scurvey Verses fasten’d to thy Breast, in praise ofdamnable Women- Come, come along.

Flor. Alas, Sir, must I be sacrific’d for the Crimes of the mostinfamous of my Sex? I never understood the Sins you name.

Blunt. Do, persuade the Fool you love him, or that one of you canbe just or honest; tell me I was not an easy Coxcomb, or anystrange impossible Tale: it will be believ’d sooner than thyfalse Showers or Protestations. A Generation of damn’dHypocrites, to flatter my very Clothes from my back! dissemblingWitches! are these the Returns you make an honest Gentleman thattrusts, believes, and loves you?- But if I be not even with you-Come along, or I shall-Pulls her again.

Enter Frederick.

Fred. Hah, what’s here to do?

Blunt. Adsheartlikins, Fred. I am glad thou art come, to be aWitness of my dire Revenge.

Fred. What’s this, a Person of Quality too, who is upon the Rambleto supply the Defects of some grave impotent Husband?

Blunt. No, this has another Pretence, some very unfortunateAccident brought her hither, to save a Life pursued by I knownot who, or why, and forc’d to take Sanctuary here at FoolsHaven. Adsheartlikins to me of all Mankind for Protection? Isthe Ass to be cajol’d again, think ye? No, young one, no Prayersor Tears shall mitigate my Rage; therefore prepare for both myPleasure of Enjoyment and Revenge, for I am resolved to make upmy Loss here on thy Body, I’ll take it out in kindness and inbeating.

Fred. Now, Mistress of mine, what do you think of this?

Flor. I think he will not- dares not be so barbarous.

Fred. Have a care, Blunt, she fetch’d a deep Sigh, she is inamour’dwith thy Shirt and Drawers, she’ll strip thee even of that.There are of her Calling such unconscionable Baggages, and such

dexterous Thieves, they’ll flea a Man, and he shall ne’er misshis Skin, till he feels the Cold. There was a Country-man ofours robb’d of a Row off Teeth whilst he was sleeping, which theJilt made him buy again when he wak’d- You see, Lady, how littleReason we have to trust you.

Blu3nt. ‘Dsheartlikins, why, this is most abominable.

Flor. Some such Devils there may be, but by all that’s holy I amnone such, I entered here to save a Life in danger.

Blunt. For no goodness I’ll warrant her.

Fred. Faith, Damsel, you had e’en confess the plain Truth, for weare Fellows not to be caught twice in the same Trap: Look onthat Wreck, a tight Vessel when he set out of Haven, well trim’dand laden, and see how a Female Piccaroon of this Island ofRogues has shatter’d him, and canst thou hope for any Mercy?

Blunt. No, no, Gentlewoman, come along, adsheartlikins we must be

better acquainted- we’ll both lie with her, and then let mealone to bang her.

Fred. I am ready to serve you in matters of Revenge, that has adouble Pleasure in’t.

Blunt. Well said. You hear, little one, how you are condemn’d bypublick Vote to the Bed within, there’s no resisting yourDestiny, Sweetheart.Pulls her.

Flor. Stay, Sir, I have seen you with Belvile, an English Cavalier,for his sake use me kindly; you know how, Sir.

Blunt. Belvile! why, yes, Sweeting, we do know Belvile, and wish hewere with us now, he’s a Cormorant at Whore and Bacon, he’dhavea Limb or two of thee, my Virgin Pullet: but ‘tis no matter,we’ll leave him the Bones to pick.

Flor. Sir, if you have any Esteem for that Belvile, I conjure you

to treat me with more Gentleness; he’ll thank you for theJustice.

Fred. Hark ye, Blunt, I doubt we are mistaken in this matter.

Flor. Sir, If you find me not worth Belvile’s Care, use me as youplease; and that you may think I merit better treatment than youthreaten- pray take this Present-[Gives him a Ring: He looks on it.

Blunt. Hum- A Diamond! why, ‘tis a wonderful Virtue now that liesin this Ring, a mollifying Virtue; adsheartlikins there’s morepersuasive Rhetorick in’t, than all her Sex can utter.

Fred. I begin to suspect something; and ‘twou’d anger us vilely tobe truss’d up for a Rape upon a Maid of Quality, when we onlybelieve we ruffle a Harlot.

Blunt. Thou art a credulous Fellow, but adsheartlikins I have noFaith yet; why, my Saint prattled as parlously as this does, she

gave me a Bracelet too, a Devil on her: but I sent my Man tosell it to day for Necessaries, and it prov’d as counterfeit asher Vows of Love.

Fred. However let it reprieve her till we see Belvile.

Blunt. That’s hard, yet I will grant it.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Oh, Sir, the Colonel is just come with his new Friend and aSpaniard of Quality, and talks of having you to Dinner with ‘em.

Blunt. ‘Dsheartlikins, I’m undone- I would not see ‘em for theWorld: Harkye, Fred. lock up the Wench in your Chamber.

Fred. Fear nothing, Madam, whate’er he threatens, you’re safewhilst in my Hands.

[Ex. Fred. and Flor.

Blunt.And, Sirrah- upon your Life, say- I am not at home- or thatI am asleep- or- or anything- away- I’ll prevent them commingthis way.

[Locks the Door and Exeunt.

ACT V

SCENE I. Blunt’s Chamber.After a great knocking as at his Chamber-door enter Blunt softlycrossing the Stage in his Shirt and Drawers, as before.Ned, Ned Blunt, Ned BluntCall within.

Blunt. The Rogues are up in Arms, ‘dsheartlikins, this villainousFrederick has betray’d me, they have heard of my blessedFortune.

Ned Blunt, Ned, Ned- and knocking within.

Belv. Why, he’s dead, Sir, without dispute dead, he has not beenseen to day; let’s break open the Door- here- Boy-

Blunt. Ha, break open the Door! ‘dsheartlikins that mad Fellow willbe as good as his word.

Belv. Boy, bring something to force the Door.A great noise within at the Door again.

Blunt. So, now must I speak in my own Defence, I’ll try whatRhetorick will do- hold- hold, what do you mean, Gentlemen, whatdo you mean?

Belv. Oh Rogue, art alive? prithee open the Door, and convince us.

Blunt. Yes, I am alive, Gentlemen- but at present a little busy.

Belv.How! Blunt grown a man of Business! come, come, open, andlet’s see this Miracle. within.

Blunt. No, no, no, no, Gentlemen, ‘tis no great Business- but- Iam- at- my Devotion,- ‘dsheartlikins, will you not allow a mantime to pray?

Belv. Turn’d religious! a greater Wonder than the first, thereforeopen quickly, or we shall unhinge, we shall.within.

Blunt. This won’t do- Why, hark ye, Colonel; to tell you the plain

Truth, I am about a necessary Affair of Life.- I have a Wenchwith me- you apprehend me? the Devil’s in’t if they be souncivil as to disturb me now.

Will. How, a Wench! Nay, then we must enter and partake; noResistance,- unless it be your Lady of Quality, and then we’llkeep our distance.

Blunt. So, the Business is out.

Will. Come, come, lend more hands to the Door- now heavealtogether- so, well done, my Boys

Breaks open the Door.Enter Belvile, Willmore, Fred. Pedro and Belvile’s Page:Blunt looks simply, they all laugh at him, he lays hishand on his Sword, and comes up to Willmore.

Blunt. Hark ye, Sir, laugh out your laugh quickly, d’ye hear, andbe gone, I shall spoil your sport else; ‘dsheartlikins, Sir, Ishall- the Jest has been carried on too long,- a Plague upon myTaylor-

Aside.

Will. ‘Sdeath, how the Whore has drest him! Faith, Sir, I’m sorry.

Blunt. Are you so, Sir? keep’t to your self then, Sir, I adviseyou, d’ye hear? for I can as little endure your Pity as hisMirth. Lays his Hand on’s Sword.

Belv. Indeed, Willmore, thou wert a little too rough with NedBlunt’s Mistress; call a Person of Quality Whore, and one soyoung, so handsome, and so eloquent!- ha, ha, ha.

Blunt. Hark ye, Sir, you know me, and know I can be angry; have acare- for ‘dsheartlikins I can fight too- I can, Sir,- do youmark me- no more.

Belv. Why so peevish, good Ned? some Disappointments, I’ll warrant-What! did the jealous Count her Husband return just in the nick?

Blunt. Or the Devil, Sir,- d’ye laugh?They laugh.]

Look ye, settle me a good sober Countenance, and that quicklytoo, or you shall know Ned Blunt is not-

Belv. Not every Body, we know that.

Blunt. Not an Ass, to be laught at, Sir.

Will. Unconscionable Sinner, to bring a Lover so near hisHappiness, a vigorous passionate Lover, and then not only cheathim of his Moveables, but his Desires too.

Belv. Ah, Sir, a Mistress is a Trifle with Blunt he’ll have a dozenthe next time he looks abroad; his Eyes have Charms not to beresisted: There needs no more than to expose that taking Personto the view of the Fair, and he leads ‘em all in Triumph.

Ped. Sir, tho I’m a stranger to you, I’m ashamed at the rudeness ofmy Nation; and could you learn who did it, would assist you tomake an Example of ‘em.

Blunt. Why, ay, there’s one speaks sense now, and handsomly; andlet me tell you Gentlemen, I should not have shew’d my self likea Jack-Pudding, thus to have made you Mirth, but that I haverevenge within my power; for know, I have got into my possessiona Female, who had better have fallen under any Curse, than theRuin I design her: ‘dsheartlikins, she assaulted me here in myown Lodgings, and had doubtless committed a Rape upon me, hadnot this Sword defended me.

Fred. I knew not that, but o’my Conscience thou hadst ravisht her,had she not redeem’d her self with a Ring- let’s see’t, Blunt.

[Blunt shews the Ring. ]

Belv. Hah!- the Ring I gave Florinda when we exchang’d our Vows!-hark ye, Blunt- Goes to whisper to him.

Will. No whispering, good Colonel there’s a Woman in the case, nowhispering.

Belv. Hark ye, Fool, be advis’d, and conceal both the Ring and theStory, for your Reputation’s sake; don’t let People know whatdespis’d Cullies we English are: to be cheated and abus’d by oneWhore, and another rather bribe thee than be kind to thee, it isan Infamy to our Nation.

Will. Come, come, Where’s the Wench? we’ll see her, let her be whatshe will, we’ll see her.

Ped. Ay, ay, let us see her, I can soon discover whether she be ofQuality, or for your Diversion.

Blunt. She’s in Fred’s Custody.

Will. Come, come, the Key.

[To Fred. who gives him the Key, they are going. ]

Belv. Death! what shall I do?- stay, Gentlemen- yet if I hinder‘em, I shall discover all- hold, let’s go one at once- give me

the Key.

Will. Nay, hold there, Colonel, I’ll go first.

Fred. Nay, no Dispute, Ned and I have the property of her.

Will. Damn Property- then we’ll draw Cuts.

Belv. goes to whisper Will.Nay, no Corruption, good Colonel: come, the longest Swordcarries her.-

[They all draw, forgetting Don]Pedro, being a Spaniard, had the longest.

Blunt. I yield up my Interest to you Gentlemen, and that will beRevenge sufficient.

Will. The Wench is yours-

(To Ped.) Pox of his Toledo, I had forgot

that.

Fred. Come, Sir, I’ll conduct you to the Lady

[Ex. Fred. and Ped.]

Belv. To hinder him will certainly discover-

Aside.]Dost know, dull Beast, what Mischief thou hast done?Will. walking up and down out of Humour.

Will. Ay, ay, to trust our Fortune to Lots, a Devil on’t, ‘twasmadness, that’s the Truth on’t.

Belv. Oh intolerable Sot!

Enter Florinda, running masqu’d, Pedro after her, Will.gazing round her.

Flor. Good Heaven, defend me from discovery.

Aside.

Pedro. ‘Tis but in vain to fly me, you are fallen to my Lot.

Belv. Sure she is undiscover’d yet, but now I fear there is no wayto bring her off.

Will. Why, what a Pox is not this my Woman, the same I follow’d butnow?

[Ped. talking to Florinda, who walks up and down.

Ped. As if I did not know ye, and your Business here.

Flor. Good Heaven! I fear he does indeed-

Aside.

Ped. Come, pray be kind, I know you meant to be so when you enter’dhere, for these are proper Gentlemen.

Will. But, Sir- perhaps the Lady will not be impos’d upon, she’ll

chuse her Man.

Ped. I am better bred, than not to leave her Choice free.

Enter Valeria, and is surpriz’d at the Sight of Don Pedro.

Val. Don Pedro here! there’s no avoiding him.

Aside.

Flor. Valeria! then I’m undone-

Aside.

Val. Oh! have I found you, Sir-

[To Pedro, running to him.-The strangest Accident- if I had breath- to tell it.

Ped. Speak- is Florinda safe? Hellena well?

Val. Ay, ay, Sir- Florinda- is safe- from any fears of you.

Ped. Why, where’s Florinda?- speak.

Val. Ay, where indeed, Sir? I wish I could inform you,- But to holdyou no longer in doubt-

Flor. Oh, what will she say!

Aside.

Val. She’s fled away in the Habit of one of her Pages, Sir- butCallis thinks you may retrieve her yet, if you make haste away;she’ll tell you, Sir, the rest- if you can find her out.

[Aside.]

Ped. Dishonourable Girl, she has undone my Aim- Sir- you see mynecessity in leaving you, and I hope you’ll pardon it: mySister, I know, will make her flight to you; and if she do,I shall expect she should be render’d back.

Belv. I shall consult my Love and Honour, Sir.

[Ex Ped. ]

Flor. My dear Preserver let me embrace thee. To Val.

Will. What the Devil’s all this?

Blunt. Mystery by this Light.

Val. Come, come, make haste and get your selves married quickly,for your Brother will return again.

Belv. I am so surpriz’d with Fears and Joys, so amaz’d to find youhere in safety, I can scarce persuade my Heart into a Faith ofwhat I see-

Will. Harkye, Colonel, is this that Mistress who has cost you somany Sighs, and me so many Quarrels with you?

Belv. It is- Pray give him the Honour of your Hand.

[To Flor.

Will. Thus it must be receiv’d then.

[Kneels and kisses her Hand.And with give your Pardon too.

Flor. The Friend to Belvile may command me anything.

Will. Death, wou’d I might, ‘tis a surprizing Beauty.

[Aside.

Belv. Boy, run and fetch a Father instantly.

[Ex. Boy.]

Fred. So, now do I stand like a Dog, and have not a Syllable toplead my own Cause with: by this Hand, Madam, I was neverthorowly confounded before, nor shall I ever more dare look upwith Confidence, till you are pleased to pardon me.

Flor. Sir, I’ll be reconcil’d to you on one Condition, that you’llfollow the Example of your Friend, in marrying, a Maid that does

not hate you, and whose Fortune (I believe)

will not beunwelcome to you.

Fred. Madam, had I no Inclinations that way, I shou’d obey yourkind Commands.

Belv. Who, Fred. marry; he has so few Inclinations for Womankind,that had he been possest of Paradise, he might have continu’dthere to this Day, if no Crime but Love cou’d have disinheritedhim.

Fred. Oh, I do not use to boast of my Intrigues.

Belv. Boast! why thou do’st nothing but boast; and I dare swear,wer’t thou as innocent from the Sin of the Grape, as thou artfrom the Apple, thou might’st yet claim that right in Eden whichour first Parents lost by too much loving.

Fred. I wish this Lady would think me so modest a Man.

Val. She shou’d be sorry then, and not like you half so well, and Ishou’d be loth to break my Word with you; which was, That ifyour Friend and mine are agreed, it shou’d be a Match betweenyou and I.She gives him her Hand.

Fred. Bear witness, Colonel, ‘tis a Bargain. Kisses her Hand.

Blunt. I have a Pardon to beg too; but adsheartlikins I am so outof Countenance, that I am a Dog if I can say any thing topurpose. To Florinda.

Flor. Sir, I heartily forgive you all.

Blunt. That’s nobly said, sweet Lady- Belvile, prithee present herher Ring again, for I find I have not Courage to approach her myself.Gives him the Ring, he gives it to Florinda.

Enter Boy.

Boy. Sir, I have brought the Father that you sent for.

Belv. ‘Tis well, and now my dear Florinda, let’s fly to compleatthat mighty Joy we have so long wish’d and sigh’d for.- Come,Fred. you’ll follow?

Fred. Your Example, Sir, ‘twas ever my Ambition in War, and must beso in Love.

Will. And must not I see this juggling Knot ty’d?

Belv. No, thou shalt do us better Service, and be our Guard, lestDon Pedro’s sudden Return interrupt the Ceremony.

Will. Content; I’ll secure this Pass.

[Ex. Bel. Flor. Fred. and Val. ]Enter Boy.

Boy. Sir, there’s a Lady without wou’d speak to you.

[To Will.Will. Conduct her in, I dare not quit my Post.

Boy. And, Sir, your Taylor waits you in your Chamber.

Blunt. Some comfort yet, I shall not dance naked at the Wedding.

[Ex. Blunt and Boy ]Enter again the Boy, conducting in Angelica in a masquingHabit and a Vizard, Will. runs to her.

Will. This can be none but my pretty Gipsy- Oh, I see you canfollow as well as fly- Come, confess thy self the most maliciousDevil in Nature, you think you have done my Bus’ness withAngelica-

Ang. Stand off, base Villain- She draws a Pistoland holds to his Breast.

Will. Hah, ‘tis not she: who art thou? and what’s thy Business?

Ang. One thou hast injur’d, and who comes to kill thee for’t.

Will. What the Devil canst thou mean?

Ang. By all my Hopes to kill thee-

[Holds still the Pistol to his Breast, he]going back, she fillwing still.

Will. Prithee on what Acquaintance? for I know thee not.

Ang. Behold this Face!- so lost to thy Remembrance! And then callall thy Sins about thy Soul,Pulls off her Vizard.And let them die with thee.

Will. Angelica!

Ang. Yes, Traitor.Does not thy guilty Blood run shivering thro thy Veins?Hast thou no Horrour at this Sight, that tells thee,

Thou hast not long to boast thy shameful Conquest?

Will. Faith, no Child, my Blood keeps its old Ebbs and Flows still,and that usual Heat too, that cou’d oblige thee with a Kindness,had I but opportunity.

Ang. Devil! dost wanton with my Pain- have at thy Heart.

Will. Hold dear Virago! hold thy Hand a little, I am not now atleisure to be kill’d- hold and hear me-Death, I think she’s in earnest.Aside.

Ang. Oh if I take not heed,My coward Heart will leave me to his Mercy.

[Aside, turning from him.]-What have you, Sir, to say?- but should I hear thee, Thoud’sttalk away all that is brave about me:Follows him with the Pistol to his Breast.And I have vow’d thy Death, by all that’s sacred.

Will. Why, then there’s an end of a proper handsom Fellow, thatmight have liv’d to have done good Service yet:- That’s all Ican say to’t.

Ang. Yet- I wou’d give thee time for Penitence. Pausingly.

Will. Faith, I thank God, I have ever took care to lead a good,sober, hopeful Life, and am of a Religion that teaches me tobelieve, I shall depart in Peace.

Ang. So will the Devil: tell meHow many poor believing Fools thou hast undone;How many Hearts thou hast betray’d to ruin!-Yet these are little Mischiefs to the IllsThou’st taught mine to commit: thou’st taught it Love.

Will. Egad, ‘twas shreudly hurt the while.

Ang. -Love, that has robb’d it of its Unconcern,

Of all that Pride that taught me how to value it,And in its room a mean submissive Passion was convey’d,That made me humbly bow, which I ne’er didTo any thing but Heaven.-Thou, perjur’d Man, didst this, and with thy Oaths,Which on thy Knees thou didst devoutly make,Soften’d my yielding Heart- And then, I was a Slave-Yet still had been content to’ve worn my Chains,Worn ‘em with Vanity and Joy for ever,Hadst thou not broke those Vows that put them on.-’Twas then I was undone.

[All this while follows him with a Pistol to his Breast.]

Will. Broke my Vows! why, where hast thou lived?Amongst the Gods! For I never heard of mortal Man,That has not broke a thousand Vows.

Ang. Oh, Impudence!

Will. Angelica! that Beauty has been too long tempting,Not to have made a thousand Lovers languish,

Who in the amorous Favour, no doubt have swornLike me; did they all die in that Faith? still adoring?I do not think they did.

Ang. No, faithless Man: had I repaid their Vows, as I did thine,I wou’d have kill’d the ungrateful that had abandon’d me.

Will. This old General has quite spoil’d thee, nothing makes aWoman so vain, as being flatter’d; your old Lover ever suppliesthe Defects of Age, with intolerable Dotage, vast Charge, andthat which you call Constancy; and attributing all this to yourown Merits, you domineer, and throw your Favours in’s Teeth,upbraiding him still with the Defects of Age, and cuckold him asoften as he deceives your Expectations. But the gay, young,brisk Lover, that brings his equal Fires, and can give you Dartfor Dart, he’ll be as nice as you sometimes.

Ang. All this thou’st made me know, for which I hate thee.Had I remain’d in innocent Security,I shou’d have thought all Men were born my Slaves;And worn my Pow’r like Lightning in my Eyes,

To have destroy’d at Pleasure when offended.-But when Love held the Mirror, the undeceiving GlassReflected all the Weakness of my Soul, and made me know,My richest Treasure being lost, my Honour,All the remaining Spoil cou’d not be worthThe Conqueror’s Care or Value.-Oh how I fell like a long worship’d Idol,Discovering all the Cheat!Wou’d not the Incense and rich Sacrifice,Which blind Devotion offer’d at my Altars,Have fall’n to thee?Why woud’st thou then destroy my fancy’d Power?

Will. By Heaven thou art brave, and I admire the strangely.I wish I were that dull, that constant thing,Which thou woud’st have, and Nature never meant me:I must, like chearful Birds, sing in all Groves,And perch on every Bough,Billing the next kind She that flies to meet me;Yet after all cou’d build my Nest with thee,Thither repairing when I’d lov’d my round,And still reserve a tributary Flame.

-To gain your Credit, I’ll pay you back your Charity,And be oblig’d for nothing but for Love.

[Offers her a Purse of Gold.]

Ang. Oh that thou wert in earnest!So mean a Thought of me,Wou’d turn my Rage to Scorn, and I shou’d pity thee,And give thee leave to live;Which for the publick Safety of our Sex,And my own private Injuries, I dare not do.Prepare- Follows still, as before.-I will no more be tempted with Replies.

Will. Sure-

Ang. Another Word will damn thee! I’ve heard thee talk too long.

[She follows him with a Pistol ready]to shoot: he retires still amaz’d. Enter Don Antonio, his Arm in a Scarf, and lays holdon the Pistol.

Ant. Hah! Angelica!

Ang. Antonio! What Devil brought thee hither?

Ant. Love and Curiosity, seeing your Coach at Door.Let me disarm you of this unbecoming Instrument of Death.-

[Takes away the Pistol.]Amongst the Number of your Slaves, was there not one worthy theHonour to have fought your Quarrel?-Who are you, Sir, that are so very wretchedTo merit Death from her?

Will. One, Sir, that cou’d have made a better End of an amorousQuarrel without you, than with you.

Ant. Sure ‘tis some Rival- hah- the very Man took down her Pictureyesterday- the very same that set on me last night- Blestopportunity-

[Offers to shoot him.

Ang. Hold, you’re mistaken, Sir.

Ant. By Heaven the very same!-Sir, what pretensions have you to this Lady?

Will. Sir, I don’t use to be examin’d, and am ill at all Disputesbut this- Draws, Anton. offers to shoot.

Ang. Oh, hold! you see he’s arm’d with certain Death: To Will.-And you, Antonio, I command you hold,By all the Passion you’ve so lately vow’d me.

Enter Don Pedro, sees Antonio, and stays.

Ped. Hah, Antonio! and Angelica!

Aside.

Ant. When I refuse Obedience to your Will,May you destroy me with your mortal Hate.By all that’s Holy I adore you so,

That even my Rival, who has Charms enoughTo make him fall a Victim to my Jealousy,Shall live, nay, and have leave to love on still.

Ped. What’s this I hear?

Aside.

Ang. Ah thus, ‘twas thus he talk’d, and I believ’d.

[Pointing to Will.]-Antonio, yesterday,I’d not have sold my Interest in his HeartFor all the Sword has won and lost in Battle.-But now to show my utmost of Contempt,I give thee Life- which if thou would’st preserve,Live where my Eyes may never see thee more,Live to undo some one, whose Soul may proveSo bravely constant to revenge my Love.

[Goes out, Ant. follows, but Ped. pulls him back.

Ped. Antonio- stay.

Ant. Don Pedro-

Ped. What Coward Fear was that prevented thee From meeting me thisMorning on the Molo?

Ant. Meet thee?

Ped. Yes me; I was the Man that dar’d thee to’t.Ant. Hast thou so often seen me fight in War,To find no better Cause to excuse my Absence?-I sent my Sword and one to do thee Right,Finding my self uncapable to use a Sword.

Ped. But ‘twas Florinda’s Quarrel that we fought,And you to shew how little you esteem’d her,Sent me your Rival, giving him your Interest.-But I have found the Cause of this Affront,But when I meet you fit for the Dispute,-I’ll tell you my Resentment.

Ant. I shall be ready, Sir, e’er long to do you Reason.

[Exit Ant.]

Ped. If I cou’d find Florinda, now whilst my Anger’s high,I think I shou’d be kind, and give her to Belvile in Revenge.

Will. Faith, Sir, I know not what you wou’d do, but I believe thePriest within has been so kind.

Ped. How! my Sister married?

Will. I hope by this time she is, and bedded too, or he has not mylongings about him.

Ped. Dares he do thus? Does he not fear my Pow’r?

Will. Faith not at all. If you will go in, and thank him for theFavour he has done your Sister, so; if not, Sir, my Power’sgreater in this House than yours; I have a damn’d surly Crew

here, that will keep you till the next Tide, and then clap youan board my Prize; my Ship lies but a League off the Molo, andwe shall show your Donship a damn’d Tramontana Rover’s Trick.

Enter Belvile.

Belv. This Rogue’s in some new Mischief- hah, Pedro return’d!

Ped. Colonel Belvile, I hear you have married my Sister.

Belv. You have heard truth then, Sir.

Ped. Have I so? then, Sir, I wish you joy.

Belv. How!

Ped. By this Embrace I do, and I glad on’t.

Belv. Are you in earnest?

Ped. By our long Friendship and my Obligations to thee, I am. Thesudden Change I’ll give you Reasons for anon. Come lead me intomy Sister, that she may know I now approve her Choice.

[Exit Bel. with Ped. ][Will. goes to follow them. Enter Hellena as beforein Boy’s Clothes, and pulls him back.

Will. Ha! my Gipsy- Now a thousand Blessings on thee for thisKindness. Egad, Child, I was e’en in despair of ever seeing theeagain; my Friends are all provided for within, each Man his kindWoman.

Hell. Hah! I thought they had serv’d me some such Trick.

Will. And I was e’en resolv’d to go aboard, condemn my self to mylone Cabin, and the Thoughts of thee.

Hell. And cou’d you have left me behind? wou’d you have been soill-natur’d?

Will. Why, ‘twou’d have broke my Heart, Child- but since we are metagain, I defy foul Weather to part us.

Hell. And wou’d you be a faithful Friend now, if a Maid shou’dtrust you?

Will. For a Friend I cannot promise, thou art of a Form soexcellent, a Face and Humour too good for cold dull Friendship;I am parlously afraid of being in love, Child, and you have notforgot how severely you have us’d me.

Hell. That’s all one, such Usage you must still look for, to findout all your Haunts, to rail at you to all that love you, till Ihave made you love only me in your own Defence, because nobodyelse will love.

Will. But hast thou no better Quality to recommend thy self by?

Hell. Faith none, Captain- Why, ‘twill be the greater Charity totake me for thy Mistress, I am a lone Child, a kind of OrphanLover; and why I shou’d die a Maid, and in a Captain’s Handstoo, I do not understand.

Will. Egad, I was never claw’d away with Broad-Sides from anyFemale before, thou hast one Virtue I adore, good-Nature; Ihate a coy demure Mistress, she’s as troublesom as a Colt,I’ll break none; no, give me a mad Mistress when mew’d, and inflying on[e] I dare trust upon the Wing, that whilst she’s kindwill come to the Lure.

Hell. Nay, as kind as you will, good Captain, whilst it lasts, butlet’s lose no time.

Will. My time’s as precious to me, as thine can be; therefore, dearCreature, since we are so well agreed, let’s retire to myChamber, and if ever thou were treated with such savory Love-Come- My Bed’s prepar’d for such a Guest, all clean and sweet asthy fair self; I love to steal a Dish and a Bottle with a

Friend, and hate long Graces- Come, let’s retire and fall to

Hell. ‘Tis but getting my Consent, and the Business is soon done;let but old Gaffer Hymen and his Priest say Amen to’t, and Idare lay my Mother’s Daughter by as proper a Fellow as yourFather’s Son, without fear or blushing.

Will. Hold, hold, no Bugg Words, Child, Priest and Hymen: pritheeadd Hangman to ‘em to make up the Consort- No, no, we’ll havenoVows but Love, Child, nor Witness but the Lover; the kind Dietyinjoins naught but love and enjoy. Hymen and Priest wait stillupon Portion, and Joynture; Love and Beauty have their ownCeremonies. Marriage is as certain a Bane to Love, as lendingMoney is to Friendship: I’ll neither ask nor give a Vow, tho Icould be content to turn Gipsy, and become a Left-handBridegroom, to have the Pleasure of working that great Miracleof making a Maid a Mother, if you durst venture; ‘tis upse Gipsythat, and if I miss, I’ll lose my Labour.

Hell. And if you do not lose, what shall I get? A Cradle full of

Noise and Mischief, with a Pack of Repentance at my Back? Canyou teach me to weave Incle to pass my time with? ‘Tis upseGipsy that too.

Will. I can teach thee to weave a true Love’s Knot better.

Hell. So can my Dog.

Will. Well, I see we are both upon our Guard, and I see there’s noway to conquer good Nature, but by yielding- here- give me thyHand- one Kiss and I am thine-

Hell. One Kiss! How like my Page he speaks; I am resolv’d youshall have none, for asking such a sneaking Sum- He that willbe satisfied with one Kiss, will never die of that Longing;good Friend single-Kiss, is all your talking come to this? AKiss, a Caudle! farewel, Captain single-Kiss.

[Going out he stays her. ]

Will. Nay, if we part so, let me die like a Bird upon a

Bough, at the Sheriff’s Charge. By Heaven, both the Indiesshall not buy thee from me. I adore thy Humour and will marrythee, and we are so of one Humour, it must be a Bargain- giveme thy Hand- Kisses her hand.And now let the blind ones (Love and Fortune) do their worst.

Hell. Why, God-a-mercy, Captain!

Will. But harkye- The Bargain is now made; but is it not fit weshould know each other’s Names? That when we have Reason tocurse one another hereafter, and People ask me who ‘tis I giveto the Devil, I may at least be able to tell what Family youcame of.

Hell. Good reason, Captain; and where I have cause, (as I doubtnot but I shall have plentiful) that I may know at whom tothrow my- Blessings- I beseech ye your Name.

Will. I am call’d Robert the Constant.

Hell. A very fine Name! pray was it your Faulkner or Butler thatchristen’d you? Do they not use to whistle when then call you?

Will. I hope you have a better, that a Man may name withoutcrossing himself, you are so merry with mine.

Hell. I am call’d Hellena the Inconstant.

Enter Pedro, Belvile, Florinda, Fred. Valeria.

Ped. Hah! Hellena!

Flor. Hellena!

Hell. The very same- hah my Brother! now, Captain, shew your Loveand Courage; stand to your Arms, and defend me bravely, or I amlost for ever.

Ped. What’s this I bear? false Girl, how came you hither, andwhat’s your Business? Speak. Goes roughly to her.

Will. Hold off, Sir, you have leave to parly only.

[Puts himself between].

Hell. I had e’en as good tell it, as you guess it. Faith, Brother,my Business is the same with all living Creatures of my Age, tolove, and be loved, and here’s the Man.

Ped. Perfidious Maid, hast thou deceiv’d me too, deceiv’d thy selfand Heaven?

Hell. ‘Tis time enough to make my Peace with that: Be you but kind,let me alone with Heaven.

Ped. Belvile, I did not expect this false Play from you; was’t notenough you’d gain Florinda

(which I pardon’d) but your leudFriends too must be inrich’d with the Spoils of a noble Family?

Belv. Faith, Sir, I am as much surpriz’d at this as you can be:

Yet, Sir, my Friends are Gentlemen, and ought to be esteem’d fortheir Misfortunes, since they have the Glory to suffer with thebest of Men and Kings; ‘tis true, he’s a Rover of Fortune, yet aPrince aboard his little wooden World.

Ped. What’s this to the maintenance of a Woman or her Birth andQuality?

Will. Faith, Sir, I can boast of nothing but a Sword which does meRight where-e’er I come, and has defended a worse Cause thana Woman’s: and since I lov’d her before I either knew her Birthor Name, I must pursue my Resolution, and marry her.

Ped. And is all your holy Intent of becoming a Nun debauch’d into aDesire of Man?

Hell. Why- I have consider’d the matter, Brother, and find theThree hundred thousand Crowns my Uncle left me

(and you cannot keep from me) will be better laid out in Love than in Religion,and turn to as good an Account- let most Voices carry it, for

Heaven or the Captain?All cry, a Captain, a Captain.

Hell. Look ye, Sir, ‘tis a clear Case.

Ped. Oh I am mad- if I refuse, my Life’s in Danger Aside.-Come- There’s one motive induces me- take her- I shall now befree from the fear of her Honour; guard it you now, if you can,I have been a Slave to’t long enough. Gives her to him.

Will. Faith, Sir, I am of a Nation, that are of opinion a Woman’sHonour is not worth guarding when she has a mind to part withit.

Hell. Well said, Captain.

Ped. This was your Plot, Mistress, but I hope you have married onethat will revenge my Quarrel to you-To Valeria.

Val. There’s no altering Destiny, Sir.

Ped. Sooner than a Woman’s Will, therefore I forgive you all- andwish you may get my Father’s Pardon as easily; which I fear.Enter Blunt drest in a Spanish Habit, looking veryridiculously; his Man adjusting his Band.

Man. ‘Tis very well, Sir.

Blunt. Well, Sir, ‘dsheartlikins I tell you ‘tis damnable ill,Sir- a Spanish Habit, good Lord! cou’d the Devil andmy Taylor devise no other Punishment for me, but the Mode of aNation I abominate?

Belv. What’s the matter, Ned?

Blunt. Pray view me round, and judge- Turns round.

Belv. I must confess thou art a kind of an odd Figure.

Blunt. In a Spanish Habit with a Vengeance! I had rather be in the

inquisition for Judaism, than in this Doublet and Breeches; aPillory were an easy Collar to this, three Handfuls high; andthese Shoes too are worse than the Stocks, with the Sole an Inchshorter than my Foot: In fine, Gentlemen, methinks I lookaltogether like a Bag of Bays stuff’d full of Fools Flesh.

Belv. Methinks ‘tis well, and makes thee look en Cavalier: Come,Sir, settle your Face, and salute our Friends, Lady-

Blunt. Hah! Say’st thou so, my little Rover? To Hell.Lady-

(if you be one) give me leave to kiss your Hand, and tellyou, adsheartlikins, for all I look so, I am your humbleServant- A Pox of my Spanish Habit.

Will. Hark- what’s this?

Musick is heard to Play. Enter Boy.

Boy. Sir, as the Custom is, the gay People in Masquerade, who make

every Man’s House their own, are coming up.Enter several Men and Women in masquing Habits, with Musick,

they put themselves in order and dance.

Blunt. Adsheartlikins, wou’d ‘twere lawful to pull off their falseFaces, that I might see if my Doxy were not amongst ‘em.

Belv. Ladies and Gentlemen, since you are come so a propos, youmust take a small Collation with us. To the Masquers.

Will. Whilst we’ll to the Good Man within, who stays to give us aCast of his Office.

To Hell.-Have you no trembling at the near approach?

Hell. No more than you have in an Engagement or a Tempest.

Will. Egad, thou’rt a brave Girl, and I admire thy Love andCourage.Lead on, no other Dangers they can dread,

Who venture in the Storms o’th’ Marriage-Bed. [Exeunt.]

EPILOGUE

THE banisht Cavaliers! a Roving Blade!A popish Carnival! a Masquerade!The Devil’s in’t if this will please the Nation,In these our blessed Times of Reformation,When Conventicling is so much in Fashion.And yet-

That mutinous Tribe less Factions do beget,Than your continual differing in Wit;Your Judgment’s (as your Passions) a Disease:Nor Muse nor Miss your Appetite can please;You’re grown as nice as queasy Consciences,Whose each Convulsion, when the Spirit moves,Damns every thing that Maggot disapprovesWith canting Rule you wou’d the Stage refine,And to dull Method all our Sense confine.With th’ Insolence of Common-wealths you rule,Where each gay Fop, and politick brave FoolOn Monarch Wit impose without controul.

As for the last who seldom sees a Play,Unless it be the old Black-Fryers way,Shaking his empty Noddle o’er Bamboo,He crys- Good Faith, these Plays will never do.-Ah, Sir, in my young days, what lofty Wit,What high-strain’d Scenes of Fighting there were writ:These are slight airy Toys. But tell me, pray,What has the House of Commons done to day?Then shews his Politicks, to let you seeOf State Affairs he’ll judge as notably,As he can do of Wit and Poetry.The younger Sparks, who hither do resort,Cry-Pox o’ your gentle things, give us more Sport;-Damn me, I’m sure ‘twill never please the Court.Such Fops are never pleas’d, unless the PlayBe stuff’d with Fools, as brisk and dull as they:Such might the Half-Crown spare, and in a GlassAt home behold a more accomplisht Ass,Where they may set their Cravats, Wigs and Faces,And practice all their Buffoonry Grimaces;See how this- Huff becomes- this Dammy- flare-

Which they at home may act, because they dare,But- must with prudent Caution do elsewhere.Oh that our Nokes, or Tony Lee could showA Fop but half so much to th’ Life as you.

POST-SCRIPT.

THIS Play had been sooner in Print, but for a Report about theTown (made by some either very Malitious or very Ignorant) that‘twas Thomaso alter’d; which made the Book-sellers fear sometrouble from the Proprietor of that Admirable Play, which indeedhas Wit enough to stock a Poet, and is not to be piec’t or mendedby any but the Excellent Author himself; That I have stol’n somehints from it may be a proof, that I valu’d it more than to pretendto alter it: had I had the Dexterity of some Poets who are not moreexpert in stealing than in the Art of Concealing, and who even thatway out-do the Spartan-Boyes I might have appropriated all to my-self, but I, vainly proud of my Judgment hang out the Sign of AN-GELICA (the only Stol’n Object) to give Notice where a greatpart of the Wit dwelt; though if the Play of the Novella were aswell worth remembring as Thomaso, they might (bating theName) have as well said, I took it from thence: I will only say thePlot and Bus’ness (not to boast on’t) is my own: as for the Wordsand Characters, I leave the Reader to judge and compare ‘em withThomaso, to whom I recommend the great Entertainment of read-ing it, tho’ had this succeeded ill, I shou’d have had no need of im-

ploring that Justice from the Critics, who are naturally so kind toany that pretend to usurp their Dominion, they wou’d doubtlesshave given me the whole Honour on’t. Therefore I will only say inEnglish what the famous Virgil does in Latin: I make Verses andothers have the Fame.

PART II.

PROLOGUE,

Spoken by Mr. Smith.IN vain we labour to reform the Stage,Poets have caught too the Disease o’ th’ Age,That Pest, of not being quiet when they’re well,That restless Fever, in the Brethren, Zeal;In publick Spirits call’d, Good o’th’ Commonweal.Some for this Faction cry, others for that,The pious Mobile for they know not what:So tho by different ways the Fever seize,In all ‘tis one and the same mad Disease.Our Author tool as all new Zealots do,Full of Conceit and Contradiction too,‘Cause the first Project took, is now so vain,T’ attempt to play the old Game o’er again:The Scene is only chang’d; for who wou’d lay

A Plot, so hopeful, just the same dull way?Poets, like Statesmen, with a little change,Pass off old Politicks for new and strange;Tho the few Men of Sense decry’t aloud,The Cheat will pass with the unthinking Croud:The Rabble ‘tis we court, those powerful things,Whose Voices can impose even Laws on Kings.A Pox of Sense and Reason, or dull Rules,Give us an Audience that declares for Fools;Our Play will stand fair: we’ve Monsters too,Which far exceed your City Pope for Show.Almighty Rabble, ‘tis to you this DayOur humble Author dedicates the Play,From those who in our lofty Tire sit,Down to the dull Stage-Cullies of the Pit,Who have much Money, and but little Wit:Whose useful Purses, and whose empty SkullsTo private Int’rest make ye Publick Tools;To work on Projects which the wiser frame,And of fine Men of Business get the Name.You who have left caballing here of late,Imploy’d in matters of a mightier weight;

To you we make our humble Application,You’d spare some time from your dear new Vocation,Of drinking deep, then settling the Nation,To countenance us, whom Commonwealths of oldDid the most politick Diversion hold.Plays were so useful thought to Government,That Laws were made for their Establishment;Howe’er in Schools differing Opinions jar,Yet all agree i’ th’ crouded Theatre,Which none forsook in any Change or War.That, like their Gods, unviolated stood,Equally needful to the publick Good.Throw then, Great Sirs, some vacant hours away,And your Petitioners shall humbly pray, &c.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

MEN.

Willmore, The Rover, in love with La Nuche, Mr. Smith.

Beaumond, the English Ambassador’s Nephew, in

love with La Nuche, contracted to Ariadne, Mr. Williams.

Ned Blunt, an English Country Gentleman, Mr. Underhill.

Nicholas Fetherfool, an English Squire, his Friend, Mr. Nokes.

Shift, an English

Lieutenant,: Friends and Officers to Mr. Wiltshire.

Hunt, an Ensign: Willmore, Mr. Richards.

Harlequin, Willmore’s Man

Abevile, Page to Beaumond

Don Carlo, an old Grandee, in love with La Nuche, Mr. Norris.

Sancho, Bravo to La Nuche.

An old Jew, Guardian to the two Monsters, Mr. Freeman.

Porter at the English Ambassador’s.

Rag, Boy to Willmore.

Scaramouche.

WOMEN.

Ariadne, the English Ambassador’s Daughter-in-law,

in love with Willmore, Mrs. Corror.

Lucia, her Kinswoman, a Girl, Mrs. Norris.

La Nuche, a Spanish Curtezan, in love with

the Rover, Mrs. Barry.

Petronella Elenora, her Baud, Mrs. Norris.

Aurelia, her Woman, Mrs. Crofts.

A Woman Giant.

A Dwarf, her Sister.

Footmen, Servants, Musicians, Operators and Spectators.

ACT I

Scene I. A Street.Enter Willmore, Blunt, Fetherfool, and Hunt, two more in Campain Dresses, Ragthe Captain’s Boy.

Will. Stay, this is the English Ambassador’s. I’ll inquire ifBeaumond be return’d from Paris.

Feth. Prithee, dear Captain, no more Delays, unless thou thinkesthe will invite us to Dinner; for this fine thin sharp Air ofMadrid has a most notable Faculty of provoking an Appetite:Prithee let’s to the Ordinary.

Will. I will not stay-

[Knocks, enter a Porter]. Friend, is the Ambassador’s Nephew, Mr. Beaumond,return’d to Madrid yet? If he be, I would speak with him.

Port. I’ll let him know so much.

[Goes in, shuts the door. ]

Blunt. Why, how now, what’s the Door shut upon us?

Feth. And reason, Ned, ‘tis Dinner-time in the Ambassador’sKitchen, and should they let the savoury Steam out, what a worldof Castilians would there be at the Door feeding upon’t.- Ohthere’s no living in Spain when the Pot’s uncover’d.

Blunt. Nay, ‘tis a Nation of the finest clean Teeth-

Feth. Teeth! Gad an they use their Swords no oftner, a Scabbardwill last an Age.

Enter Shift from the House.

Will. Honest Lieutenant-

Shift. My noble Captain- Welcome to Madrid. What Mr. Blunt, and myhonoured Friend Nicholas Fetherfool Esq.

Feth. Thy Hand, honest Shift- They embrace him.

Will. And how, Lieutenant, how stand Affairs in this unsanctify’dTown?- How does Love’s great Artillery, the fair La Nuche, fromwhose bright Eyes the little wanton God throws Darts to woundMankind?

Shift. Faith, she carries all before her still; undoes her Fellow-traders in Love’s Art: and amongst the Number, old Carlo deMinalta Segosa pays high for two Nights in a Week.

Will. Hah- Carlo! Death, what a greeting’s here! Carlo, the happyMan! a Dog! a Rascal, gain the bright La Nuche! Oh Fortune!Cursed blind mistaken Fortune! eternal Friend to Fools!Fortune! that takes the noble Rate from Man, to place it on herIdol Interest.

Shift. Why Faith, Captain, I should think her Heart might stand asfair for you as any, could you be less satirical- but by thisLight, Captain, you return her Raillery a little too roughly.

Will. Her Raillery! By this Hand I had rather be handsomly abus’dthan dully flatter’d; but when she touches on my Poverty, myhonourable Poverty, she presses me too sensibly- for nothing isso nice as Poverty- But damn her, I’ll think of her no more: forshe’s a Devil, tho her Form be Angel. Is Beaumond come fromParis yet?

Shift. He is, I came with him; he’s impatient of your Return: I’lllet him know you’re here.

[Exit. Shift.]

Feth. Why, what a Pox ails the Captain o’th’ sudden? He looks assullenly as a routed General, or a Lover after hard Service.

Blunt.Oh- something the Lieutenant has told him about a Wench; andwhen Cupid’s in his Breeches, the Devil’s ever in’s Head- hownow- What a pox is the matter with you, you look so scurvilynow?- What, is the Gentlewoman otherwise provided? has shecashier’d ye for want of Pay? or what other dire Mischance?-hah-

Will. Do not trouble me-

Blunt. Adsheartlikins, but I will, and beat thee too, but I’ll knowthe Cause. I heard Shift tell thee something about La Nuche, aDamsel I have often heard thee Fool enough to sigh for.

Will. Confound the mercenary Jilt!

Blunt. Nay, adsheartlikins they are all so; tho I thought you hadbeen Whore-proof; ‘tis enough for us Fools, Country Gentlemen,Esquires, and Cullies, to miscarry in their amorous Adventures,you Men of Wit weather all Storms you.

Will. Oh, Sir, you’re become a new Man, wise and wary, and can nomore be cozen’d.

Blunt. Not by Woman-kind; and for Man I think my Sword will secureme. Pox, I thought a two Months absence and a Siege would haveput such Trifles out of thy Head: You do not use to be such a

Miracle of Constancy.

Will. That Absence makes me think of her so much; and all thePassions thou find’st about me are to the Sex alone. Give me aWoman, Ned, a fine young amorous Wanton, who would allay thisFire that makes me rave thus, and thou shouldst find me nolonger particular, but cold as Winter-Nights to this La Nuche:Yet since I lost my little charming Gipsey, nothing has gone sonear my Heart as this.

Blunt. Ay, there was a Girl, the only she thing that couldreconcile me to the Petticoats again after my Naples Adventure,when the Quean rob’d and stript me.

Will. Oh name not Hellena! She was a Saint to be ador’d onHoly-days.

Enter Beaumond.

Beau. Willmore! my careless wild inconstant- how is’t, my luckyRover? embracing.

Will. My Life! my Soul! how glad am I to find thee in my Armsagain- and well- When left you Paris? Paris, that City ofPottage and Crab-Wine swarming with Lacquies and Philies,whose Government is carried on by most Hands, not most Voices-And prithee how does Belvile and his Lady?

Beau. I left ‘em both in Health at St. Germains.

Will. Faith, I have wisht my self with ye at the old Temple ofBacchus at St. Clou, to sacrifice a Bottle and a Damsel to hisDeity.

Beau. My constant Place of Worship whilst there, tho for want ofnew Saints my Zeal grew something cold, which I was ever fain tosupply with a Bottle, the old Remedy when Phyllis is sullen andabsent.

Will. Now thou talk’st of Phillis, prithee, dear Harry, whatWomen hast in store?

Beau. I’ll tell thee; but first inform me whom these two Sparksare.

Will. Egad, and so they are, Child: Salute ‘em- They are myFriends- True Blades, Hal. highly guilty of the royal Crime,poor and brave, loyal Fugitives.

Beau. I love and honour ‘em, Sir, as such-

[Bowing to Blunt].

Blunt. Sir, there’s neither Love nor Honour lost.

Feth. Sir, I scorn to be behind-hand in Civilities.

Beau. At first sight I find I am much yours, Sir.

[To Feth.]

Feth. Sir, I love and honour any Man that’s a Friend to CaptainWillmore- and therefore I am yours

Enter Shift.

-Well, honest Lieutenant, how does thy Body?- When shall Ned,and thou and I, crack a Bisket o’er a Glass of Wine, have aSlice of Treason and settle the Nation, hah?

Shift. You know, Squire, I am devotedly yours.

[They talk aside.]

Beau. Prithee who are these?

Will. Why, the first you saluted is the same Ned Blunt you haveoften heard Belvile and I speak of: the other is a Rarity ofanother Nature, one Squire Fetherfool of Croydon, a tame Justiceof Peace, who liv’d as innocently as Ale and Food could keephim, till for a mistaken Kindness to one of the Royal Party, helost his Commission, and got the Reputation of a Sufferer: He’srich, but covetous as an Alderman.

Beau. What a Pox do’st keep ‘em Company for, who have neither Witenough to divert thee, nor Good-nature enough to serve thee?

Will. Faith, Harry, ‘tis true, and if there were no more Charitythan Profit in’t, a Man would sooner keep a Cough o’th’ Lungsthan be troubled with ‘em: but the Rascals have a blind side asall conceited Coxcombs have, which when I’ve nothing else todo, I shall expose to advance our Mirth; the Rogues must becozen’d, because they’re so positive they never can be so: butI am now for softer Joys, for Woman, for Woman in abundance-dear Hal. inform me where I may safely unlade my Heart.

Beau. The same Man still, wild and wanton!

Will. And would not change to be the Catholick King.

Beau. I perceive Marriage has not tam’d you, nor a Wife who hadall the Charms of her Sex.

Will. Ay- she was too good for Mortals. With a sham Sadness.

Belv. I think thou hadst her but a Month, prithee how dy’d she?

Will. Faith, e’en with a fit of Kindness, poor Soul- she would toSea with me, and in a Storm- far from Land, she gave up theGhost- ‘twas a Loss, but I must bear it with a christianFortitude.

Beau. Short Happinesses vanish like to Dreams.

Will. Ay faith, and nothing remains with me but the sadRemembrance- not so much as the least Part of her hundredthousand Crowns; Brussels that inchanted Court has eas’d me ofthat Grief, where our Heroes act Tantalus better than ever Oviddescrib’d him, condemn’d daily to see an Apparition of Meat,Food in Vision only. Faith, I had Bowels, was good-natur’d, andlent upon the publick Faith as far as ‘twill go- But come, let’sleave this mortifying Discourse, and tell me how the price ofPleasure goes.

Beau. At the old Rates still; he that gives most is happiest, somefew there are for Love!

Will. Ah, one of the last, dear Beaumond; and if a Heart or Swordcan purchase her, I’ll bid as fair as the best. Damn it, Ihate a Whore that asks me Mony.

Beau. Yet I have known thee venture all thy Stock for a new Woman.

Will. Ay, such a Fool I was in my dull Days of Constancy, but I amnow for Change,

(and should I pay as often, ‘twould undo me)-for Change, my Dear, of Place, Clothes, Wine, and Women. Varietyis the Soul of Pleasure, a Good unknown; and we want Faith tofind it.

Beau. Thou wouldst renounce that fond Opinion, Willmore, didstthou see a Beauty here in Town, whose Charms have Power to fixinconstant Nature or Fortune were she tottering on her Wheel.

Will. Her Name, my Dear, her Name?

Beau. I would not breathe it even in my Complaints, lest amorousWinds should bear it o’er the World, and make Mankind her

Slaves;But that it is a Name too cheaply known,And she that owns it may be as cheaply purchas’d.

Will. Hah! cheaply purchas’d too! I languish for her.Beau. Ay, there’s the Devil on’t, she is- a Whore.

Will. Ah, what a charming Sound that mighty Word bears!

Beau. Damn her, she’ll be thine or any body’s.

Will. I die for her-

Beau. Then for her Qualities-

Will. No more-ye Gods, I ask no more,

Be she but fair and much a Whore- Come let’s to her.

Beau. Perhaps to morrow you may see this Woman.

Will. Death, ‘tis an Age.

Feth. Oh, Captain, the strangest News, Captain.

Will. Prithee what?

Feth. Why, Lieutenant Shift here tells us of two Monsters arriv’dfrom Mexico, Jews of vast Fortunes, with an old Jew Uncle theirGuardian; they are worth a hundred thousand Pounds a piece-Marcy upon’s, why, ‘tis a Sum able to purchase all Flandersagain from his most christian Majesty.

Will. Ha, ha, ha, Monsters!

Beau. He tells you Truth, Willmore.

Blunt. But hark ye, Lieutenant, are you sure they are not married?

Beau. Who the Devil would venture on such formidable Ladies?

Feth. How, venture on ‘em! by the Lord Harry, and that would I,tho I’m a Justice of the Peace, and they be Jews, (which to aChristian is a thousand Reasons.)

Blunt. Is the Devil in you to declare our Designs? Aside.

Feth. Mum, as close as a Jesuit.

Beau. I admire your Courage, Sir, but one of them is so little,and so deform’d, ‘tis thought she is not capable of Marriage;and the other is so huge an overgrown Giant, no Man daresventure on her.

Will. Prithee let’s go see ‘em; what do they pay for going in?

Feth. Pay- I’d have you to know they are Monsters of Quality.

Shift. And not to be seen but by particular Favour of theirGuardian, whom I am got acquainted with, from the Friendship Ihave with the Merchant where they lay. The Giant, Sir, is inlove with me, the Dwarf with Ensign Hunt, and as we manageMatters we may prove lucky.

Beau. And didst thou see the Show? the Elephant and the Mouse.

Shift. Yes, and pleased them wondrously with News I brought ‘em ofa famous Mountebank who is coming to Madrid, here are his Bills-who amongst other his marvellous Cures, pretends to restoreMistakes in Nature, to new-mould a Face and Body tho never somisshapen, to exact Proportion and Beauty. This News has mademe gracious to the Ladies, and I am to bring ‘em word of theArrival of this famous Empirick, and to negotiate the Businessof their Reformation.

Will. And do they think to be restor’d to moderate sizes?

Shift. Much pleas’d with the Hope, and are resolv’d to try at anyRate.

Feth. Mum, Lieutenant- not too much of their Transformation; weshall have the Captain put in for a Share, and the Devil wouldnot have him his Rival: Ned and I are resolv’d to venture a Castfor ‘em as they are- Hah, Ned.

[Will. and Beau. read the Bill.]

Blunt. Yes, if there were any Hopes of your keeping a Secret.

Feth. Nay, nay, Ned, the World knows I am a plaguy Fellow at yourSecrets; that, and my Share of the Charge shall be my Part, forShift says the Guardian must be brib’d for Consent: Now theother Moiety of the Mony and the Speeches shall be thy part, forthou hast a pretty Knack that way. Now Shift shall bring Mattersneatly about, and we’ll pay him by the Day, or in gross, when wemarried- hah, Shift.Shift. Sir, I shall be reasonable.

Will. I am sure Fetherfool and Blunt have some wise Design upon

these two Monsters- it must be so- and this Bill has put anextravagant Thought into my Head- hark ye, Shift.

[Whispers to him.]

Blunt. The Devil’s in’t if this will not redeem my Reputation withthe Captain, and give him to understand that all the Wit doesnot lie in the Family of the Willmores, but that this Noddle ofmine can be fruitful too upon Occasion.

Feth. Ay, and Lord, how we’ll domineer, Ned, hah- over Willmoreand the rest of the Renegado Officers, when we have marriedthese Lady Monsters, hah, Ned.

Blunt.Then to return back to Essex worth a Million.

Feth. And I to Croyden-

Blunt. -Lolling in Coach and Six-

Feth. -Be dub’d Right Worshipful-

Blunt. And stand for Knight of the Shire.

Will. Enough- I must have my Share of this Jest, and for diversand sundry Reasons thereunto belonging, must be this veryMountebank expected.

Shift. Faith, Sir, and that were no hard matter, for a day or twothe Town will believe it, the same they look for: and the Bank,Operators and Musick are all ready.

Will. Well enough, add but a Harlequin and Scaramouch, and I shallmount in querpo.

Shift. Take no care for that, Sir, your Man, and Ensign Hunt, areexcellent at those two; I saw ‘em act ‘em the other day to aWonder, they’ll be glad of the Employment, my self will be anOperator.

Will. No more, get ‘em ready, and give it out, the Man of Art’s

arriv’d: Be diligent and secret, for these two politick Assesmust be cozen’d.

Shift. I will about the Business instantly.

[Ex. Shift. ]

Beau. This Fellow will do Feats if he keeps his Word.

Will. I’ll give you mine he shall- But, dear Beaumond, where shallwe meet anon?

Beau. I thank ye for that- ‘Gad, ye shall dine with me.

Feth. A good Motion-

Will. I beg your Pardon now, dear Beaumond- I having latelynothing else to do, took a Command of Horse from the Generalat the last Siege, from which I am just arriv’d, and my Baggageis behind, which I must take order for.Feth. Pox on’t now there’s a Dinner lost, ‘twas ever an unlucky

Rascal.

Beau. To tempt thee more, thou shalt see my Wife that is to be.

Will. Pox on’t, I am the leudest Company in Christendom with yourhonest Women- but- What, art thou to be noos’d then?

Beau. ‘Tis so design’d by my Uncle, if an old Grandee my Rivalprevent it not; the Wench is very pretty, young, and rich, andlives in the same House with me, for ‘tis my Aunt’s Daughter.

Will. Much good may it dye, Harry, I pity you, but ‘tis commonGrievance of you happy Men of Fortune.

[Goes towards the House-door with Beau.] Enter La Nuche, Aurelia, Petronella, Sancho, Women veil’d a little.

Aur. Heavens, Madam, is not that the English Captain?

[Looking on Will.]

La Nu. ‘Tis, and with him Don Henrick the Ambassador’s Nephew-

how my Heart pants and heaves at sight of him! some Fire of theold Flames remaining, which I must strive to extinguish. ForI’ll not bate a Ducat of this Price I’ve set upon my self, forall the Pleasures Youth or Love can bring me- for see Aurelia-the sad Memento of a dacay’d poor old forsaken Whore inPetronella; consider her, and then commend my Prudence.

Will. Hah, Women!-

Feth. Egad, and fine ones too. I’ll tell you that.

Will. No matter, Kindness is better Sauce to Woman than Beauty! Bythis Hand she looks at me- Why dost hold me?

[Feth. holds him.

Feth. Why, what a Devil, art mad?

Will. Raging, as vigorous Youth kept long from Beauty; wild forthe charming Sex, eager for Woman, I long to give a Loose toLove and Pleasure.

Blunt. These are not Women, Sir, for you to ruffle-

Will. Have a care of your Persons of Quality, Ned.

[Goes to La Nuche].-Those lovely Eyes were never made to throw their Darts invain.

La Nu. The Conquest would be hardly worth the Pain.

Will. Hah, La Nuche! with what a proud Disdain she flung away-stay, I will not part so with you- Holds her.

Enter Ariadne and Lucia with Footmen.

Aria. Who are these before us, Lucia?

Luc. I know not, Madam; but if you make not haste home, you’ll betroubled with Carlo your importunate Lover, who is just behindus.

Aria. Hang me, a lovely Man! what Lady’s that? stay.

Pet. What Insolence is this! This Villain will spoil all-

Feth. Why, Captain, are you quite distracted?- dost know wherethou art? Prithee be civil-

Will. Go, proud and cruel! Turns her from him.Enter Carlo, and two or three Spanish Servants following:Petronella goes to him.

Car. Hah, affronted by a drunken Islander, a saucy Tramontane!-Draw- To his Servants whilst he takes La Nuche.whilst I lead her off- fear not, Lady, you have the Honour ofmy Sword to guard ye.

Will. Hah, Carlo- ye lye- it cannot guard the boasting Fool thatwears it- be gone- and look not back upon this Woman.

[Snatches her from him]

One single Glance destroys thee-[They draw and fight; Carlo getting hindmost of his

Spaniards, the English beat ‘em off. The Ladiesrun away, all but Ariadne and Lucia.

Luc. Heav’ns, Madam, why do ye stay?

Aria. To pray for that dear Stranger- And see, my Prayers areheard, and he’s return’d in safety- this Door shall shelter meto o’er-hear the Quarrel. Steps aside.

Enter Will. Blunt, Feth. looking big, and putting up his Sword.

Feth. The noble Captain be affronted by a starch’d Ruff and Beard,a Coward in querpo, a walking Bunch of Garlick, a pickl’dPilchard! abuse the noble Captain, and bear it off in State,like a Christmas Sweet-heart; these things must not be whilstNicholas Fetherfool wears a Sword.

Blunt. Pox o’ these Women, I thought no good would come on’t:besides, where’s the Jest in affronting honest Women, if therebe such a thing in the Nation?

Feth. Hang’t, ‘twas the Devil and all-

Will. Ha, ha, ha! Why, good honest homespun Country Gentlemen, whodo you think those were?

Feth. Were! why, Ladies of Quality going to their Devotion; whoshould they be?

Blunt. Why, faith, and so I thought too.

Will. Why, that very one Woman I spoke to is ten Whores in Surrey.

Feth. Prithee speak softly, Man: ‘Slife, we shall be poniarde forkeeping thee company.

Will. Wise Mr. Justice, give me your Warrant, and if I do not prove‘em Whores, whip me.

Feth. Prithee hold thy scandalous blasphemous Tongue, as if I did

not know Whores from Persons of Quality.

Will. Will you believe me when you lie with her? for thou’rt arich Ass, and may’st do it.

Feth. Whores- ha, ha-

Will. ‘Tis strange Logick now, because your Band is better thatmine, I must not know a Whore better than you.

Blunt. If this be a Whore, as thou say’st, I understand nothing-by this Light such a Wench would pass for a Person of Qualityin London.

Feth. Few Ladies have I seen at a Sheriff’s Feast have betterFaces, or worn so good Clothes; and by the Lord Harry, if thesebe of the gentle Craft, I’d not give a Real for an honest Womenfor my use.

Will. Come follow me into the Church, for thither I am sure

they’re gone: And I will let you see what a wretched thing youhad been had you lived seven Years longer in Surrey, stew’d inAle and Beef-broth.

Feth. O dear Willmore, name not those savory things, there’s nojesting with my Stomach; it sleeps now, but if it wakes, wo beto your Shares at the Ordinary.

Blunt. I’ll say that for Fetherfool, if his Heart were but half sogood as his Stomach, he were a brave Fellow.

[Aside, Exeunt].

Aria. I am resolv’d to follow- and learn, if possible, who ‘tishas made this sudden Conquest o’er me.

[All go off. [Scene draws, and discovers a Church, a great many People at Devotion, softMusick playing. Enter La Nuche, Aurelia, Petron. and Sancho: To them Willmore,Feth. Blunt; then Ariadne, Lucia; Feth. bows to La Nuche and Petronella.

Feth. Now as I hope to be sav’d, Blunt, she’s a most melodious

Lady. Would I were worthy to purchase a Sin or so with her.Would not such a Beauty reconcile thy Quarrel to the Sex?

Blunt. No, were she an Angel in that Shape.

Feth. Why, what a pox couldst not lie with her if she’d let thee?By the Lord Harry, as errant a Dog as I am, I’d fain see any ofCupid’s Cook-maids put me out of countenance with such aShoulder of Mutton.

Aria. See how he gazes on her- Lucia, go nearer, and o’er-hear ‘em.

[Lucia listens.]

Will. Death, how the charming Hypocrite looks to day, with such asoft Devotion in her Eyes, as if even now she were praisingHeav’n for all the Advantages it has blest her with.

Blunt. Look how Willmore eyes her, the Rogue’s smitten heart deep-Whores-

Feth.Only a Trick to keep her to himself- he thought the Name ofa Spanish Harlot would fight us from attempting- I must diverthim- how is’t, Captain- Prithee mind this Musick- Is it notmost Seraphical?

Will. Pox, let the Fidlers mind and tune their Pipes, I’ve higherPleasures now.

Feth. Oh, have ye so; what, with Whores, Captain?- ‘Tis a mostdelicious Gentlewoman.

Aside.

Pet. Pray, Madam, mind that Cavalier, who takes such pains torecommend himself to you.

La Nu. Yes, for a fine conceited Fool-

Pet.Catso, a Fool, what else?

La Nu. Right, they are our noblest Chapmen; a Fool, and a richFool, and an English rich Fool-

Feth. ‘Sbud, she eyes me, Ned, I’ll set my self in order, it maytake- hah- Sets himself.

Pet. Let me alone to manage him, I’ll to him-

La Nu. Or to the Devil, so I had one Minute’s time to speak toWillmore.

Pet. And accosting him thus- tell him-

La Nu. [in a hasty Tone.]-

I am desperately in love with him, andam Daughter, Wife, or Mistress to some Grandee- bemoan theCondition of Women of Quality in Spain, who by too muchConstraint are oblig’d to speak first- but were we blest likeother Nations where Men and Women meet-

[Speaking so fast, she offering to put in her word, is still]prevented by t’other’s running on.

Pet. What Herds of Cuckolds would Spain breed- ‘Slife, I couldfind in my Heart to forswear your Service: Have I taught yeyour Trade, to become my Instructor, how to cozen a dullphlegmatick greasy-brain’d Englishman?- go and expect yourWishes.

Will. So, she has sent her Matron to our Coxcomb; she saw he was aCully fit for Game- who would not be a Rascal to be rich, aDog, an Ass, a beaten, harden’d Coward- by Heaven, I willpossess this gay Insensible, to make me hate her- mostextremely curse her- See if she be not fallen to Pray’r again,from thence to Flattery, Jilting and Purse-taking, to make theProverb good- My fair false Sybil, what Inspirations are youwaiting for from Heaven, new Arts to cheat Mankind!- Tell me,with what Face canst thou be devout, or ask any thing fromthence, who hast made so leud a use of what it has alreadylavish’d on thee?

La Nu. Oh my careless Rover! I perceive all your hot Shot is notyet spent in Battel, you have a Volley in reserve for mestill- Faith, Officer, the Town has wanted Mirth in yourAbsence.

Will. And so might all the wiser part for thee, who hast no Mirth,no Gaiety about thee, and when thou wouldst design someCoxcomb’s ruin; to all the rest, a Soul thou hast so dull, thatneither Love nor Mirth, nor Wit or Wine can wake it to goodNature- thou’rt one who lazily work’st in thy Trade, andsell’st for ready Mony so much Kindness; a tame cold Suffereronly, and no more.

La Nu. What, you would have a Mistress like a Squirrel in a Cage,always in Action- one who is as free of her Favours as I amsparing of mine- Well, Captain, I have known the time when LaNuche was such a Wit, such a Humour, such a Shape, and such aVoice,

(tho to say Truth I sing but scurvily) ‘twas Comedy to

see and hear me.

Will. Why, yes Faith for once thou wert, and for once mayst beagain, till thou know’st thy Man, and knowest him to be poor.At first you lik’d me too, you saw me gay, no marks of Povertydwelt in my Face or Dress, and then I was the dearest loveliestMan- all this was to my outside; Death, you made love to myBreeches, caress’d my Garniture and Feather, and English Foolof Quality you thought me- ‘Sheart, I have known a Woman doaton Quality, tho he has stunk thro all his Perfumes; one whonever went all to Bed to her, but left his Teeth, an Eye, falseBack and Breast, sometimes his Palate too upon her Toilet,whilst her fair Arms hug’d the dismember’d Carcase, and sworehim all Perfection, because of Quality.

La Nu. But he was rich, good Captain, was he not?

Will. Oh most damnably, and a confounded Blockhead, two certainRemedies against your Pride and Scorn.

La Nu. Have you done, Sir?

Will. With thee and all thy Sex, of which I’ve try’d an hundred,and found none true or honest.

La Nu. Oh, I doubt not the number: for you are one of thosehealthy-stomacht Lovers, that can digest a Mistress in a Night,and hunger again next Morning: a Pox of your whining consump-tiveConstitution, who are only constant for want of Appetite: youhave a swinging Stomach to Variety, and Want having set an edgeupon your Invention,

(with which you cut thro all Difficulties)you grow more impudent by Success.

Will. I am not always scorn’d then.

La Nu. I have known you as confidently put your Hands into yourPockets for Money in a Morning, as if the Devil had been yourBanker, when you knew you put ‘em off at Night as empty as yourGloves.

Will. And it may be found Money there too.La Nu. Then with this Poverty so proud you are, you will not givethe Wall to the Catholick King, unless his Picture hung upon’t.No Servants, no Money, no Meat, always on foot, and yetundaunted still.

Will. Allow me that, Child.

La Nu. I wonder what the Devil makes you so termagant on our Sex,‘tis not your high feeding, for your Grandees only dine, andthat but when Fortune pleases- For your parts, who are the poordependent, brown Bread and old Adam’s Ale is only currentamongst ye; yet if little Eve walk in the Garden, the starv’dlean Rogues neigh after her, as if they were in Paradise.

Will. Still true to Love you see-

La Nu. I heard an English Capuchin swear, that if the King’sFollowers could be brought to pray as well as fast, therewould be more Saints among ‘em than the Church has ever

canoniz’d.

Will. All this with Pride I own, since ‘tis a royal Cause I sufferfor; go pursue your Business your own way, insnare the Fool- Isaw the Toils you set, and how that Face was ordered for theConquest, your Eyes brimful of dying lying Love; and now andthen a wishing Glance or Sigh thrown as by chance; which whenthe happy Coxcomb caught- you feign’d a Blush, as angry andasham’d of the Discovery: and all this Cunning’s for a littlemercenary Gain- fine Clothes, perhaps some Jewels too, whilstall the Finery cannot hide the Whore!

La Nu. There’s your eternal Quarrel to our Sex, ‘twere a fine Tradeindeed to keep a Shop and give your Ware for Love: would it turnto account think ye, Captain, to trick and dress, to receive allwou’d enter? faith, Captain, try the Trade.

Pet. What in Discourse with this Railer!- come away; Poverty’scatching.

Returns from Discourse with Feth. speaks to San.

Will. So is the Pox, good Matron, of which you can afford goodPenniworths.

La Nu. He charms me even with his angry Looks, and will undo meyet.

Pet. Let’s leave this Place, I’ll tell you my Success as we go.

[Ex. all, some one way, some another, the Forepart of theChurch shuts over, except Will. Blunt, Aria. and Lucia.

Will. She’s gone, and all the Plagues of Pride go with her.

Blunt. Heartlikins, follow her- Pox on’t, an I’d but as good a Handat this Game as thou hast, I’ll venture upon any Chance-

Will. Damn her, come, let’s to Dinner. Where’s Fetherfool?

Blunt. Follow’d a good Woodman, who gave him the Sign: he’ll lodgethe Deer e’er night.

Will. Follow’d her- he durst not, the Fool wants Confidence enoughto look on her.

Blunt. Oh you know not how a Country Justice may be improved byTravel; the Rogue was hedg’d in at home with the Fear of hisNeighbours and the Penal Statutes, now he’s broke loose, heruns neighing like a Stone-Horse upon the Common.

Will. However, I’ll not believe this- let’s follow ‘em.

[Ex. Will. and Blunt.]

Aria. He is in love, but with a Courtezan- some Comfort that.We’ll after him- ‘Tis a faint-hearted Lover,Who for the first Discouragement gives over.

[Ex. Ariadne and Lucia.

ACT II.

SCENE I. The Street. Enter Fetherfool and Sancho, passing over the Stage; after them Willmore andBlunt, follow’d by Ariadne and Lucia.

Will. ‘Tis so, by Heaven, he’s chaffering with her Pimp. I’ll sparemy Curses on him for having her, he has a Plague beyond ‘em.-Harkye, I’ll never love, nor lie with Women more, those Slavesto Lust, to Vanity and Interest.

Blunt. Ha, Captain! Shaking his Head and smiling.

Will. Come, let’s go drink Damnation to ‘em all.

Blunt. Not all, good Captain.

Will. All, for I hate ‘em all-Aria. Heavens! if he should indeed! Aside.

Blunt. But, Robert, I have found you most inclined to a Damsel whenyou had a Bottle in your Head.

Will. Give me thy Hand, Ned- Curse me, despise me, point me out forCowardice if e’er thou see’st me court a Woman more: Nay, whenthou knowest I ask any of the Sex a civil Question again- aPlague upon ‘em, how they’ve handled me- come, let’s go drink, Isay- Confusion to the Race- A Woman!- no, I will be burnt withmy own Fire to Cinders e’er any of the Brood shall lay myFlame-

Aria. He cannot be so wicked to keep this Resolution sure-

[She passes by.Faith, I must be resolv’d- you’ve made a pious Resolution, Sir,had you the Grace to keep it-

[Passing on he pauses, and looks on her.

Will. Hum- What’s that?

Blunt. That- O- nothing- but a Woman- come away.

Will. A Woman! Damn her, what Mischief made her cross my way juston the Point of Reformation!

Blunt. I find the Devil will not lose so hopeful a Sinner. Hold,hold, Captain, have you no Regard to your own Soul?‘dsheartlikins, ‘tis a Woman, a very errant Woman.

Aria. Your Friend informs you right, Sir, I am a Woman.

Will. Ay, Child, or I were a lost Man- therefore, dear lovelyCreature-

Aria. How can you tell, Sir?

Will. Oh, I have naturally a large Faith, Child, and thou’stpromising Form, a tempting Motion, clean Limbs, well drest, anda most damnable inviting Air.

Aria. I am not to be sold, nor fond of Praise I merit not.

Will. How, not to be sold too! By this light, Child, thou speakestlike a Cherubim, I have not heard so obliging a Sound from theMouth of Woman-kind this many a Day- I find we must be betteracquainted, my Dear.Aria. Your Reason, good familiar Sir, I see no such Necessity.

Will. Child, you are mistaken, I am in great Necessity; for firstI love thee- desperately- have I not damn’d my Soul alreadyfor thee, and wouldst thou be so wicked to refuse a littleConsolation to my Body? Then secondly, I see thou art frankand good-natur’d, and wilt do Reason gratis.

Aria. How prove ye that, good Mr. Philospher?

Will. Thou say’st thou’rt not to be sold, and I’m sure thou’rt tobe had- that lovely Body of so divine a Form, those soft smoothArms and Hands, were made t’embrace as well as be embrac’d;that delicate white rising Bosom to be prest, and all thy otherCharms to be enjoy’d.

Aria. By one that can esteem ‘em to their worth, can set a Valueand a Rate upon ‘em.

Will. Name not those Words, they grate my Ears like Jointure,that dull conjugal Cant that frights the generous Lover. Rate-Death, let the old Dotards talk of Rates, and pay it t’atonefor the Defects of Impotence. Let the sly Statesman, who jiltsthe Commonwealth with his grave Politicks, pay for the Sin,that he may doat in secret; let the brisk Fool inch out hisscanted Sense with a large Purse more eloquent than he: Buttell not me of Rates, who bring a Heart, Youth, Vigor, and aTongue to sing the Praise of every single Pleasure thou shaltgive me.

Aria. Then if I should be kind, I perceive you would not keep theSecret.

Will. Secrecy is a damn’d ungrateful Sin, Child, known only whereReligion and Small-beer are current, despis’d where Apollo andthe Vine bless the Country: you find none of Jove’s Mistresses

hid in Roots and Plants, but fixt Stars in Heaven for all togaze and wonder at- and tho I am no God, my Dear, I’ll do aMortal’s Part, and generously tell the admiring World whathidden Charms thou hast: Come, lead me to some Place ofHappiness-

Blunt. Prithee, honest Damsel, be not so full of Questions; will aPistole or two do thee any hurt?

Luc. None at all, Sir-

Blunt. Thou speak’st like a hearty Wench- and I believe hast notbeen one of Venus’ Hand-maids so long, but thou understand thyTrade- In short, fair Damsel, this honest Fellow here who is sotermagant upon thy Lady, is my Friend, my particular Friend, andtherefore I would have him handsomly, and well-favour’dlyabus’d- you conceive me.

Luc. Truly, Sir, a friendly Request- but in what Nature abus’d?

Blunt. Nature!- why any of your Tricks would serve- but if hecould be conveniently strip’d and beaten, or tost in a Blanket,or any such trivial Business, thou wouldst do me a singularKindness; as for Robbery he defies the Devil: an empty Pocketis an Antidote against that Ill.

Luc. Your Money, Sir: and if he be not cozen’d, say a SpanishWoman has neither Wit nor Invention upon Occasion.

Blunt. Sheartlikins, how I shall love and honour thee for’t- here’searnest-

[Talks to her with Joy and Grimace.

Aria. But who was that you entertain’d at Church but now?

Will. Faith, one, who for her Beauty merits that glorious Title shewears, it was- a Whore, Child.

Aria. That’s but a scurvy Name; yet, if I’m not mistaken, in those

false Eyes of yours, they look with longing Love upon that-Whore, Child.

Will. Thou are i’th’ right, and by this hand, my Soul was full aswishing as my eyes: but a Pox on’t, you Women have all a certainJargon, or Gibberish, peculiar to your selves; of Value, Rate,Present, Interest, Settlement, Advantage, Price, Maintenance,and the Devil and all of Fopperies, which in plain Terms signifyready Money, by way of Fine before Entrance; so that an honestwell-meaning Merchant of Love finds no Credit amongst ye,without his Bill of Lading.Aria. We are not all so cruel- but the Devil on’t is, your good-natur’d Heart is likely accompanied with an ill Face and worseWit.

Will. Faith, Child, a ready Dish when a Man’s Stomach is up, isbetter than a tedious Feast. I never saw any Man yet cut mypiece; some are for Beauty, some are for Wit, and some for theSecret, but I for all, so it be in a kind Girl: and for Wit inWoman, so she say pretty fond things, we understand; tho trueor false, no matter.

Aria. Give the Devil his due, you are a very conscientious Lover:I love a Man that scorns to impose dull Truth and Constancy on aMistress.

Will. Constancy, that current Coin with Fools! No, Child, Heavenkeep that Curse from our Doors.

Aria. Hang it, it loses Time and Profit, new Lovers have new Vowsand new Presents, whilst the old feed upon a dull repetition ofwhat they did when they were Lovers; ‘tis like eating the coldMeat ones self, after having given a Friend a Feast.

Will. Yes, that’s the thrifty Food for the Family when the Guestsare gone. Faith, Child, thou hast made a neat and a heartySpeech: But prithee, my Dear, for the future, leave out thatsame Profit and Present, for I have a natural Aversion to hardwords; and for matter of quick Dispatch in the Business- give methy Hand, Child- let us but start fair, and if thou outstripstme, thou’rt a nimble Racer.

[Lucia sees Shift.]

Luc. Oh, Madam, let’s be gone: younder’s Lieutenant Shift, who, ifhe sees us, will certainly give an Account of it to Mr.Beaumond. Let’s get in thro the Garden, I have the Key.

Aria. Here’s Company coming, and for several reasons I would notbe seen.

[Offers to go.

Will. Gad, Child, nor I; Reputation is tender- therefore pritheelet’s retire.

[Offers to go with her].

Aria. You must not stir a step.

Will. Not stir! no Magick Circle can detain me if you go.

Aria. Follow me then at a distance, and observe where I enter; andat night (if your Passion lasts so long) return, and you shallfind Admittance into the Garden.

[Speaking hastily.[He runs out after her. Enter Shift.

Shift. Well, Sir, the Mountebank’s come, and just going to beginin the Piazza; I have order’d Matters, that you shall have aSight of the Monsters, and leave to court ‘em, and when won,to give the Guardian a fourth part of the Portions.

Blunt. Good: But Mum- here’s the Captain, who must by no meansknow our good Fortune, till he see us in State.

Enter Willmore, Shift goes to him.

Shift. All things are ready, Sir, for our Design, the Houseprepar’d as you directed me, the Guardian wrought upon by thePersuasions of the two Monsters, to take a Lodging there, andtry the Bath of Reformation: The Bank’s preparing, and theOperators and Musick all ready, and the impatient Town flockttogether to behold the Man of Wonders, and nothing wanting butyour Donship and a proper Speech.

Will. ‘Tis well, I’ll go fit my self with a Dress, and think of aSpeech the while: In the mean time, go you and amuse the gapingFools that expect my coming.

[Goes out.Enter Fetherfool singing and dancing.

Feth. Have you heard of a Spanish Lady,How she woo’d an English Man?

Blunt. Why, how now, Fetherfool?

Feth. Garments gay, and rich as may be,Deckt with Jewels, had she on.

Blunt. Why, how now, Justice, what run mad out of Dog-days?

Feth. Of a comely Countenance and Grace is she,A sweeter Creature in the World there could not be.

Shift. Why, what the Devil’s the matter, Sir?

Blunt. Stark mad, ‘dshartlikins.

Feth. Of a Comely Countenance- well, Lieutenant, the most heroickand illustrious Madona! Thou saw’st her, Ned: And of a comelyCounte- The most Magnetick Face- well- I knew the Charms ofthese Eyes of mine were not made in vain: I was design’d forgreat things, that’s certain- And a sweeter Creature in theWorld there could not be.

[Singing.

Blunt. What then the two Lady Monsters are forgotten? the Designupon the Million of Money, the Coach and Six, and Patent forRight Worshipful, all drown’d in the Joy of this new Mistress?-But well, Lieutenant, since he is so well provided for, you mayput in with me for a Monster; such a Jest, and such a Sum, isnot to be lost.

Shift. Nor shall not, or I have lost my Aim.

[Aside.

Feth. [Putting off his Hat.] Your Pardons, good Gentlemen; and thoI perceive I shall have no great need for so trifling a Sum as ahundred thousand Pound, or so, yet a Bargain’s a Bargain,Gentlemen.

Blunt. Nay, ‘dsheartlikins, the Lieutenant scorns to do a foulthing, d’ye see, but we would not have the Monsters slighted.

Feth. Slighted! no, Sir, I scorn your Words, I’d have ye to know,that I have as high a Respect for Madam Monster, as anyGentleman in Christendom, and so I desire she shouldunderstand.

Blunt. Why, this is that that’s handsom.

Shift. Well, the Mountebank’s come, Lodgings are taken at hisHouse, and the Guardian prepar’d to receive you on the aforesaidTerms, and some fifty Pistoles to the Mountebank to stand your

Friend, and the Business is done.

Feth. Which shall be perform’d accordingly, I have it ready aboutme.

Blunt. And here’s mine, put ‘em together, and let’s be speedy, lestsome should bribe higher, and put in before us.

[Feth. takes the Money, and looks pitiful on’t.

Feth. Tis a plaguy round Sum, Ned, pray God it turn to Account.

Blunt. Account, ‘dsheartlikins, tis not in the Power of mortal Manto cozen ‘me.

Shift. Oh fie, Sir, cozen you, Sir!- well, you’ll stay here and seethe Mountebank, he’s coming forth.

[A Hollowing. Enter from the Front a Bank, a Pageant,which they fix on the Stage at one side, a littlePavilion on’t, Musick playing, and Operators roundbelow, or Antickers.

[Musick plays, and an Antick Dance. Enter Willmore like a Mountebank, with a Dagger in one Hand, and a Viol in theother, Harlequin and Scaramouche; Carlo with other Spaniards below, and Rab-ble; Ariadne and Lucia above in the Balcony, others on the other side, Fetherfooland Blunt below.

Will. (bowing) Behold this little Viol, which contains in itsnarrow Bounds what the whole Universe cannot purchase, if soldto its true Value; this admirable, this miraculous Elixir, drawnfrom the Hearts of Mandrakes, Phenix Livers, and Tongues ofMaremaids, and distill’d by contracted Sun-Beams, has besidesthe unknown Virtue of curing all Distempers both of Mind andBody, that divine one of animating the Heart of Man to thatDegree, that however remiss, cold and cowardly by Nature, heshall become vigorous and brave. Oh stupid and insensible Man,when Honour and secure Renown invites you, to treat it withNeglect, even when you need but passive Valour, to become theHeroes of the Age; receive a thousand Wounds, each of whichwou’d let out fleeting Life: Here’s that can snatch the partingSoul in its full Career, and bring it back to its nativeMansion; baffles grim Death, and disappoints even Fate.

Feth. Oh Pox, an a Man were sure of that now-

Will. Behold, here’s Demonstration-

[Harlequin stabs himself, and falls as dead.

Feth. Hold, hold, why, what the Devil is the Fellow mad?

Blunt. Why, do’st think he has hurt himself?

Feth. Hurt himself! why, he’s murder’d, Man; ‘tis flat Felo de se,in any ground in England, if I understand Law, and I have been aJustice o’th’ Peace.

Will. See, Gentlemen, he’s dead-Feth. Look ye there now, I’ll be gone lest I be taken as anAccessary.

[Going out.]

Will. Coffin him, inter him, yet after four and twenty Hours, as

many Drops of this divine Elixir give him new Life again; thiswill recover whole Fields of slain, and all the Dead shall riseand fight again- ‘twas this that made the Roman Legionsnumerous, and now makes France so formidable, and this alone-may be the Occasion of the loss of Germany.

[Pours in Harlequin’s Wound, he rises.

Feth. Why this Fellow’s the Devil, Ned, that’s for certain.

Blunt. Oh plague, a damn’d Conjurer, this-

Will. Come, buy this Coward’s Comfort, quickly buy; what Fop wouldbe abus’d, mimick’d and scorn’d, for fear of Wounds can be soeasily cured? Who is’t wou’d bear the Insolence and Pride ofdomineering great Men, proud Officers or Magistrates? or whowou’d cringe to Statesmen out of Fear? What Cully wou’d becuckolded? What foolish Heir undone by cheating Gamesters?WhatLord wou’d be lampoon’d? What Poet fear the Malice of hissatirical Brother, or Atheist fear to fight for fear of Death?Come buy my Coward’s Comfort, quickly buy.

Feth. Egad, Ned, a very excellent thing this; I’ll lay out tenReals upon this Commodity.

[They buy, whilst another Part of the Dance is danc’d. ]-

Will. Behold this little Paper, which contains a Pouder, whoseValue surmounts that of Rocks of Diamonds and Hills of Gold;‘twas this made Venus a Goddess, and was given her by Apollo,from her deriv’d to Helen, and in the Sack of Troy lost, tillrecover’d by me out of some Ruins of Asia. Come, buy it, Ladies,you that wou’d be fair and wear eternal Youth; and you in whomthe amorous Fire remains, when all the Charms are fled: You thatdress young and gay, and would be thought so, that patch andpaint, to fill up sometimes old Furrows on your Brows, and setyourselves for Conquest, tho in vain; here’s that will give youaubern Hair, white Teeth, red Lips, and Dimples on your Cheeks:Come, buy it all you that are past bewitching, and wou’d havehandsom, young and active Lovers.

Feth. Another good thing, Ned.

Car. I’ll lay out a Pistole or two in this, if it have the sameEffect on Men.

Will. Come, all you City Wives, that wou’d advance your Husbandsto Lord Mayors, come, buy of me new Beauty; this will give ittho now decay’d, as are your Shop Commodities; this willretrieve your Customers, and vend your false and out offashion’d Wares: cheat, lye, protest and cozen as you please, ahandsom Wife makes all a lawful Gain. Come, City Wives, come,buy.

Feth. A most prodigious Fellow!

[They buy, he sits, the other Part is danc’d.]

Will. But here, behold the Life and Soul of Man! this is theamorous Pouder, which Venus made and gave the God of Love,whichmade him first a Deity; you talk of Arrows, Bow, and killingDarts; Fables, poetical Fictions, and no more: ‘tis this alonethat wounds and fires the Heart, makes Women kind, and equals

Men to Gods; ‘tis this that makes your great Lady doat on theill-favour’d Fop; your great Man be jilted by his littleMistress, the Judge cajol’d by his Semstress, and your Politicanby his Comedian; your young lady doat on her decrepid Husband,your Chaplain on my Lady’s Waiting-Woman, and the youngSquireon the Landry-Maid- In fine, Messieurs,‘Tis this that cures the Lover’s Pain,And Celia of her cold Disdain.

Feth. A most devilish Fellow this!

Blunt. Hold, shartlikins, Fetherfool, let’s have a Dose or two ofthis Pouder for quick Dispatch with our Monsters.

Feth. Why Pox, Man, Jugg my Giant would swallow a whole Cart-Loadbefore ‘twould operate.

Blunt. No hurt in trying a Paper or two however.

Car. A most admirable Receit, I shall have need on’t.

Will. I need say nothing of my divine Baths of Reformation, nor thewonders of the old Oracle of the Box, which resolves allQuestions, my Bills sufficiently declare their Virtue.

[Sits down. They buy.]Enter Petronella Elenora carried in a Chair, dress’d like a Girl of Fifteen.

Shift. Room there, Gentlemen, room for a Patient.

Blunt. Pray, Seignior, who may this be thus muzzl’d by old GafferTime?

Car. One Petronella Elenora, Sir, a famous outworn Curtezan.

Blunt. Elenora! she may be that of Troy for her Antiquity, thofitter for God Priapus to ravish than Paris.

Shift. Hunt, a word; dost thou see that same formal Politician

yonder, on the Jennet, the nobler Animal of the two?

Hunt. What of him?

Shift. ‘Tis the same drew on the Captain this Morning, and I mustrevenge the Affront.

Hunt. Have a care of Revenges in Spain, upon Persons of hisQuality.

Shift. Nay, I’ll only steal his Horse from under him.

Hunt. Steal it! thou may’st take it by force perhaps; but howsafely is a Question.

Shift. I’ll warrant thee- shoulder you up one side of his greatSaddle, I’ll do the like on t’other; then heaving him gentlyup, Harlequin shall lead the Horse from between his Worship’sLegs: All this in the Crowd will not be perceiv’d, where allEyes are imploy’d on the Mountebank.

Hunt. I apprehend you now-

[Whilst they are lifting Petronella on the Mountebank’s Stage,]they go into the Crowd, shoulder up Carlo’s Saddle.Harlequin leads the Horse forward, whilst Carlo is gazing,and turning up his Mustachios; they hold him up a littlewhile, then let him drop: he rises and stares about for hisHorse.

Car. This is flat Conjuration.

Shift. What’s your Worship on foot?

Hunt. I never saw his Worship on foot before.

Car. Sirrah, none of your Jests, this must be by diabolical Art,and shall cost the Seignior dear- Men of my Garb affronted- myJennet vanisht- most miraculous- by St. Jago, I’ll be revenged-hah, what’s here- La Nuche

[Surveys her at a distance.] Enter La Nuche, Aurelia, Sancho.

La Nu. We are pursu’d by Beaumond, who will certainly hinder ourspeaking to Willmore, should we have the good fortune to see himin this Crowd- and yet there’s no avoiding him.

Beau. ‘Tis she, how carefully she shuns me!

Aur. I’m satisfied he knows us by the jealous Concern which appearsin that prying Countenance of his.

Beau. Stay, Cruel, is it Love or Curiosity, that wings those nimbleFeet?Holds her.

[Lucia above and Ariadne.]

Aria. Beaumond with a Woman!

Beau. Have you forgot this is the glorious Day that ushers in theNight shall make you mine? the happiest Night that everfavour’d Love!

La Nu. Or if I have, I find you’ll take care to remember me.

Beau. Sooner I could forget the Aids of Life, sooner forget howfirst that Beauty charm’d me.

La Nu. Well, since your Memory’s so good, I need not doubt yourcoming.

Beau. Still cold and unconcern’d! How have I doated, and howsacrific’d, regardless of my Fame, lain idling here, when allthe Youth of Spain were gaining Honour, valuing one Smile ofthine above their Laurels!

La Nu. And in return, I do submit to yield, preferring you abovethose fighting Fools, who safe in Multitudes reap Honourcheaper.

Beau. Yet there is one- one of those fighting Fools which should’stthou see, I fear I were undone; brave, handsome, gay, and all

that Women doat on, unfortunate in every good of Life, but thatone Blessing of obtaining Women: Be wise, for if thou seest himthou art lost- Why dost thou blush?

La Nu. Because you doubt my Heart- ‘tis Willmore that he means.

[Aside.] We’ve Eyes upon us, Don Carlo may grow jealous, andhe’s a powerful Rival- at night I shall expect ye.

Beau. Whilst I prepare my self for such a Blessing.

[Ex. Beau.]

Car. Hah! a Cavalier in conference with La Nuche! and entertain’dwithout my knowledge! I must prevent this Lover, for he’s young-and this Night will surprise her.

[Aside.]

Will. And you would be restor’d?

[To Petro.]

Pet. Yes, if there be that Divinity in your Baths of Reformation.

Will. There are.New Flames shall sparkle in those Eyes;And these grey Hairs flowing and bright shall rise:These Cheeks fresh Buds of Roses wear,And all your wither’d Limbs so smooth and clear,As shall a general Wonder move,And wound a thousand Hearts with Love.

Pet. A Blessing on you, Sir, there’s fifty Pistoles for you, and asI earn it you shall have more.

[They lift her down.] [Exit Willmore bowing.]

Shift. Messieurs, ‘tis late, and the Seignior’s Patients stay forhim at his Laboratory, to morrow you shall see the conclusion ofthis Experiment, and so I humbly take my leave at this time.

Enter Willmore, below sees La Nuche, makes up to her,whilst the last part of the Dance is dancing.

La Nu. What makes you follow me, Sir?

[She goes from him, he pursues. ]-

Will. Madam, I see something in that lovely Face of yours, which ifnot timely prevented will be your ruin: I’m now in haste, but Ihave more to say-

[Goes off.]

La Nu. Stay, Sir- he’s gone- and fill’d me with a curiosity thatwill not let me rest till it be satisfied: Follow me, Aurelia,for I must know my Destiny. [Goes out.

[The Dance ended, the Bank removes, the People go off. ]-

Feth. Come, Ned, now for our amorous Visit to the two LadyMonsters.

[Ex. Feth. and Blunt.]

ACT II

SCENE II. Changes to a fine Chamber.Enter Ariadne and Lucia.

Aria. I’m thoughtful: Prithee, Cousin, sing some foolish Song-

SONG. Phillis, whose Heart was unconfin’dAnd free as Flowers on Meads and Plains,None boasted of her being kind,‘Mongst all the languishing and amorous Swains:

No Sighs nor Tears the Nymph could move

[bis.To pity or return their Love.Till on a time, the hapless MaidRetir’d to shun the heat o’th’ Day,

Into a Grove, beneath whose ShadeStrephon, the careless Shepherd, sleeping lay:

But oh such Charms the Youth adorn, [bis.Love is reveng’d for all her Scorn.

Her Cheeks with Blushes covered were,And tender Sighs her Bosom warm;A softness in her Eyes appear,Unusual Pains she feels from every Charm:

To Woods and Ecchoes now she cries, [bis.For Modesty to speak denies.

Aria. Come, help to undress me, for I’ll to this Mountebank, toknow what success I shall have with my Cavalier.

[Unpins her things before a great Glass that is fasten’d.]

Luc. You are resolv’d then to give him admittance?

Aria. Where’s the danger of a handsom young Fellow?

Luc. But you don’t know him, Madam.

Aria. But I desire to do, and time may bring it about withoutMiracle.

Luc. Your Cousin Beaumond will forbid the Banes.

Aria. No, nor old Carlos neither, my Mother’s precious Choice, whois as sollicitous for the old Gentleman, as my Father-in-Law isfor his Nephew. Therefore, Lucia, like a good and graciousChild, I’ll end the Dispute between my Father and Mother, andplease my self in the choice of this Stranger, if he be to behad.

Luc. I should as soon be enamour’d on the North Wind, a Tempest, ora Clap of Thunder. Bless me from such a Blast.

Aria. I’d have a Lover rough as Seas in Storms, upon occasion; Ihate your dull temperate Lover, ‘tis such a husbandly quality,like Beaumond’s Addresses to me, whom neither Joy nor Angerputsin motion; or if it do, ‘tis visibly forc’d- I’m glad I saw him

entertain a Woman to day, not that I care, but wou’d be fairlyrid of him.

Luc. You’ll hardly mend your self in this.

Aria. What, because he held Discourse with a Curtezan?

Luc. Why, is there no danger in her Eyes, do ye think?

Aria. None that I fear, that Stranger’s not such a fool to give hisHeart to a common Woman; and she that’s concern’d where herLover bestows his Body, were I the Man, I should think she had amind to’t her self.

Luc. And reason, Madam: in a lawful way ‘tis your due.

Aria. What all? unconscionable Lucia! I am more merciful; but be hewhat he will, I’ll to this cunning Man, to know whether ever anypart of him shall be mine.

Luc. Lord, Madam, sure he’s a Conjurer.

Aria. Let him be the Devil, I’ll try his Skill, and to that endwill put on a Suit of my Cousin Endymion; there are two or threevery pretty ones of his in the Wardrobe, go carry ‘em to myChamber, and we’ll fit our selves and away- Go haste whilst Iundress.

[Ex. Lucia.][Ariadne undressing before the Glass.

Enter Beaumond tricking himself, and looks on himself.

Beau. Now for my charming Beauty, fair La Nuche- hah- Ariadne- damnthe dull Property, how shall I free my self?

[She turns, sees him, and walks from the Glass,he takes no notice of her, but tricks himselfthe Glass, humming a Song.

Aria. Beaumond! What Devil brought him hither to prevent me? I hatethe formal matrimonial Fop. [He walks about and sings.Sommes nous pas trop heureux,

Belle Irise, que nous ensemble.A Devil on him, he may chance to plague me till night, andhinder my dear Assignation. [Sings again.La Nuit et le Sombre voilesCoverie nos desires ardentes;Et l’ Amour et les EtoilesSont nos secrets confidents.

Beau. Pox on’t, how dull am I at an excuse?

[Sets his Wig in the Glass, and sings.]A Pox of Love and Woman-kind,And all the Fops adore ‘em.

[Puts on his Hat, cocks it, and goes to her.How is’t, Cuz?

Aria. So, here’s the saucy freedom of a Husband Lover- a blestInvention this of marrying, whoe’er first found it out.

Beau.Damn this English Dog of a Perriwig-maker, what an ungainlyAir it gives the Face, and for a Wedding Perriwig too- how dostthou like it, Ariadne?

[Uneasy.

Aria. As ill as the Man- I perceive you have taken more care foryour Perriwig than your Bride.

Beau. And with reason, Ariadne, the Bride was never the care of theLover, but the business of the Parents; ‘tis a serious Affair,and ought to be manag’d by the grave and wise: Thy Mother andmyUncle have agreed the Matter, and would it not look very sillilyin me now to whine a tedious Tale of Love in your Ear, when thebusiness is at an end? ‘tis like saying a Grace when a Manshould give Thanks.

Aria. Why did you not begin sooner then?

Beau. Faith, Ariadne, because I know nothing of the Design in hand;had I had civil warning, thou shouldst have had as pretty smartSpeeches from me, as any Coxcomb Lover of ‘em all could havemade thee.

Aria. I shall never marry like a Jew in my own Tribe; I’ll ratherbe possest by honest old doating Age, than by saucy conceitedYouth, whose Inconstancy never leaves a Woman safe or quiet.

Beau. You know the Proverb of the half Loaf, Ariadne; a Husbandthat will deal thee some Love is better than one who can givethee none: you would have a blessed time on’t with old FatherCarlo.

Aria. No matter, a Woman may with some lawful excuse cuckold him,and ‘twould be scarce a Sin.

Beau. Not so much as lying with him, whose reverend Age wou’d makeit look like Incest.

Aria. But to marry thee- would be a Tyranny from whence there’s noAppeal: A drinking whoring Husband! ‘tis the Devil-

Beau. You are deceiv’d, if you think Don Carlo more chaste than I;only duller, and more a Miser, one that fears his Flesh more,and loves his Money better.- Then to be condemn’d to lie withhim- oh, who would not rejoice to meet a Woollen-Waistcoat, andknit Night-Cap without a Lining, a Shirt so nasty, a cleanlyGhost would not appear in’t at the latter Day? then the compoundof nasty Smells about him, stinking Breath, Mustachoes stuftwith villainous snush, Tobacco, and hollow Teeth: thus prepar’dfor Delight, you meet in Bed, where you may lie and sigh wholeNights away, he snores it out till Morning, and then rises tohis sordid business.

Aria. All this frights me not: ‘tis still much better than akeeping Husband, whom neither Beauty nor Honour in a Wife canoblige.

Beau. Oh, you know not the good-nature of a Man of Wit, at least Ishall bear a Conscience, and do thee reason, which Heaven deniesto old Carlo, were he willing.

Aria. Oh, he talks as high, and thinks as well of himself as anyyoung Coxcomb of ye all.

Beau. He has reason, for if his Faith were no better than hisWorks, he’d be damn’d.

Aria. Death, who wou’d marry, who wou’d be chaffer’d thus, and soldto Slavery? I’d rather buy a Friend at any Price that I couldlove and trust.

Beau. Ay, could we but drive on such a Bargain.

Aria. You should not be the Man; You have a Mistress, Sir, that hasyour Heart, and all your softer Hours: I know’t, and if I wereso wretched as to marry thee, must see my Fortune lavisht out onher; her Coaches, Dress, and Equipage exceed mine by far:Possess she all the day thy Hours of Mirth, good Humour andExpence, thy Smiles, thy Kisses, and thy Charms of Wit. Oh howyou talk and look when in her Presence! but when with me,A Pox of Love and Woman-kind,

[Sings.And all the Fops adore ‘em.How it’s, Cuz- then slap, on goes the Beaver, which beingcock’d, you bear up briskly, with the second Part to the sameTune- Harkye, Sir, let me advise you to pack up your Trumperyand be gone, your honourable Love, your matrimonial Foppery,with your other Trinkets thereunto belonging; or I shall talkaloud, and let your Uncle hear you.

Beau.Sure she cannot know I love La Nuche.

[Aside.The Devil take me, spoil’d! What Rascal has inveigled thee? Whatlying fawning coward has abus’d thee? When fell you into thisLeudness? Pox, thou art hardly worth the loving now, that canstbe such a Fool, to wish me chaste, or love me for that Virtue;or that wouldst have me a ceremonious help, one that makeshandsom Legs to Knights without laughing, or with a sneakingmodest Squirish Countenance; assure you, I have my Maidenhead.ACurse upon thee, the very thought of Wife has made thee formal.

Aria. I must dissemble, or he’ll stay all day to make his peaceagain- why, have you ne’er- a Mistress then?

Beau. A hundred, by this day, as many as I like, they are my Mirth,the business of my loose and wanton Hours; but thou art myDevotion, the grave, the solemn Pleasure of my Soul- Pox, wouldI were handsomly rid of thee too.

[Aside.-Come, I have business- send me pleas’d away.

Aria. Would to Heaven thou wert gone;

[Aside.You’re going to some Woman now.

Beau. Oh damn the Sex, I hate ‘em all- but thee- farewell, mypretty jealous- sullen- Fool.

[Goes out. ]-

Aria. Farewel, believing Coxcomb.

[Enter Lucia. ]-

Lucia. Madam, the Clothes are ready in your Chamber.

Aria. Let’s haste and put ‘em on then.

[Runs out.]

ACT III.

SCENE I. A House.Enter Fetherfool and Blunt, staring about, after them Shift.

Shift. Well, Gentlemen, this is the Doctor’s House, and your fiftyPistoles has made him intirely yours; the Ladies too are here insafe Custody- Come, draw Lots who shall have the Dwarf, andwhothe Giant.

[They draw.]

Feth. I have the Giant.

Blunt. And I the little tiny Gentlewoman.

Shift. Well, you shall first see the Ladies, and then prepare foryour Uncle Moses, the old Jew Guardian, before whom you mustbevery grave and sententious: You know the old Law was full of

Ceremony.

Feth. Well, I long to see the Ladies, and to have the first Onsetover.

Shift. I’ll cause ‘em to walk forth immediately.

[Goes out.

Feth. My Heart begins to fail me plaguily- would I could see ‘em alittle at a Distance before they come slap dash upon a Man.

[Peeping.Hah!- Mercy upon us!- What’s yonder!- Ah, Ned my Monster is asbig as the Whore of Babylon- Oh I’m in a cold Sweat-

[Blunt pulls him to peep, and both do so.]Oh Lord! she’s as tall as the St. Christopher in Notre-dame atParis, and the little one looks like the Christo upon hisShoulders- I shall ne’er be able to stand the first Brunt.

Blunt. ‘Dsheartlikins, whither art going?

[Pulls him back.

Feth. Why only- to- say my Prayers a little- I’ll be with theepresently.

[Offers to go, he pulls him.

Blunt. What a Pox, art thou afraid of a Woman-

Feth. Not of a Woman, Ned, but of a She Gargantua, I am of aHercules in Petticoats.

Blunt. The less Resemblance the better. ‘Shartlikins, I’d rathermine were a Centaur than a Woman: No, since my Naples Adven-ture,I am clearly for your Monster.

Feth. Prithee, Ned, there’s Reason in all things-

Blunt. But villainous Woman- ‘Dshartlikins, stand your Ground, orI’ll nail you to’t: Why, what a Pox are you so quezy stomach’d,

a Monster won’t down with you, with a hundred thousand Poundtoboot.

[Pulling him.

Feth. Nay, Ned, that mollifies something; and I scorn it should besaid of Nich. Fetherfool that he left his Friend in danger, ordid an ill thing: therefore, as thou say’st, Ned, tho she were aCentaur, I’ll not budg an Inch.

Blunt. Why God a Mercy.

Enter the Giant and Dwarf, with them Shift as an Operator,and Harlequin attending.

Feth. Oh- they come- Prithee, Ned, advance-

[Puts him forward].

Shift. Most beautiful Ladies.

Feth. Why, what a flattering Son of a Whore’s this?

Shift. These are the illustrious Persons your Uncle designs yourhumble Servants, and who have so extraordinary a Passion foryour Seignioraships.

Feth. Oh yes, a most damnable one: Wou’d I were cleanlily offthe Lay, and had my Money again.

Blunt. Think of a Million, Rogue, and do not hang an Arse thus.

Giant. What, does the Cavalier think I’ll devour him?

[To Shift.

Feth. Something inclin’d to such a Fear.

Blunt. Go and salute her, or, Adsheartlikins, I’ll leave you to herMercy.

Feth. Oh, dear Ned, have pity on me- but as for saluting her, youspeak of more than may be done, dear Heart, without a Scaling

Ladder. [Exit Shift. ]

Dwarf. Sure, Seignior Harlequin, these Gentlemen are dumb.

Blunt. No, my little diminutive Mistress, my small Epitomy ofWoman-kind, we can prattle when our Hands are in, but we arerawand bashful, young Beginners; for this is the first time we everwere in love: we are something aukard, or so, but we shall comeon in time, and mend upon Incouragement.

Feth. Pox on him, what a delicate Speech has he made now- ‘Gad, I’dgive a thousand Pounds a Year for Ned’s concise Wit, but not aGroat for his Judgment in Womankind.Enter Shift with a Ladder, sets it against the Giant, andbows to Fetherfool.

Shift. Here, Seignior, Don, approach, mount, and salute the Lady.

Feth. Mount! why, ‘twould turn my Brains to look down from herShoulders- But hang’t, ‘Gad, I will be brave and venture.[Runs up the Ladder, salutes her, and runs down again.And Egad this was an Adventure and a bold one- but since I amcome off with a whole Skin, I am flesht for the next onset-Madam- has your Greatness any mind to marry?[Goes to her, speaks, and runs back;Blunt claps him on the Back.

Giant. What if have?

Feth. Why then, Madam, without inchanted Sword or Buckler, I’m yourMan.

Giant. My Man? my Mouse. I’ll marry none whose Person and Courageshall not bear some Proportion to mine.

Feth. Your Mightiness I fear will die a Maid then.

Giant.I doubt you’ll scarce secure me from that Fear, who court myFortune, not my Beauty.

Feth. Hu, how scornful she is, I’ll warrant you- why I mustconfess, your Person is something heroical and masculine, but Iprotest to your Highness, I love and honour ye.

Dwarf. Prithee, Sister, be not so coy, I like my Lover well enough;and if Seignior Mountebank keep his Word in making us ofreasonable Proportions, I think the Gentlemen may serve forHusbands.

Shift. Dissemble, or you betray your Love for us.

[Aside to the Giant.]Giant. And if he do keep his Word, I should make a better Choice,not that I would change this noble Frame of mine, cou’d I butmeet my Match, and keep up the first Race of Man intire: Butsince this scanty World affords none such, I to be happy, mustbe new created, and then shall expect a wiser Lover.

Feth. Why, what a peevish Titt’s this; nay? look ye, Madam, as forthat matter, your Extraordinariness may do what you please- but‘tis not done like a Monster of Honour, when a Man has set hisHeart upon you, to cast him off- Therefore I hope you’ll pity adespairing Lover, and cast down an Eye of Consolation upon me;for I vow, most Amazonian Princess, I love ye as if Heaven andEarth wou’d come together.

Dwarf. My Sister will do much, I’m sure, to save the Man that lovesher so passionately- she has a Heart.

Feth. And a swinger ‘tis- ‘Sbud- she moves like the RoyalSovereign, and is as long a tacking about.

[Aside.Giant. Then your Religion, Sir.

Feth. Nay, as for that, Madam, we are English, a Nation I thankGod, that stand as little upon Religion as any Nation under theSun, unless it be in Contradiction; and at this time have somany amongst us, a Man knows not which to turn his Hand to-

neither will I stand with your Hugeness for a small matter ofFaith or so- Religion shall break no squares.

Dwarf. I hope, Sir, you are of your Friend’s Opinion.Blunt. My little Spark of a Diamond, I am, I was born a Jew, withan Aversion to Swines Flesh.

Dwarf. Well, Sir, I shall hasten Seignior Doctor to compleat myBeauty, by some small Addition, to appear the more grateful toyou.

Blunt. Lady, do not trouble yourself with transitory Parts,‘Dshartlikins thou’rt as handsom as needs be for a Wife.

Dwarf. A little taller, Seignior, wou’d not do amiss, my youngerSister has got so much the Start of me.

Blunt. In troth she has, and now I think on’t, a little tallerwou’d do well for Propagation; I should be loth the Posterity ofthe antient Family of the Blunts of Essex should dwindle into

Pigmies or Fairies.

Giant. Well, Seigniors, since you come with our Uncle’s liking, wegive ye leave to hope, hope- and be happy-

[They go out with Harlequin.

Feth. Egad, and that’s great and gracious-

Enter Willmore and an Operator.

Will. Well, Gentlemen, and how like you the Ladies?

Blunt. Faith, well enough for the first Course, Sir.

Will. The Uncle, by my indeavour, is intirely yours- but whilstthe Baths are preparing, ‘twould be well if you would think ofwhat Age, Shape, and Complexion you would have your Ladiesform’d in.

Feth. Why, may we chuse, Mr. Doctor?

Will. What Beauties you please.

Feth. Then will I have my Giant, Ned, just such another Gentlewomanas I saw at Church to day- and about some fifteen.

Blunt. Hum, fifteen- I begin to have a plaguy Itch about me too,towards a handsome Damsel of fifteen; but first let’s marry,lest they should be boiled away in these Baths of Reformation.

Feth. But, Doctor, can you do all this without the help of theDevil?

Will. Hum, some small Hand he has in the Business? we make anExchange with him, give him the clippings of the Giant for somuch of his Store as will serve to build the Dwarf.

Blunt. Why, then mine will be more than three Parts Devil, Mr.Doctor.

Will. Not so, the Stock is only Devil, the Graft is your own littleWife inoculated.

Blunt. Well, let the Devil and you agree about this matter as soonas you please.

Enter Shift as an Operator.

Shift. Sir, there is without a Person of an extraordinary Sizewou’d speak with you.

Will. Admit him.

Enter Harlequin, ushers in Hunt as a Giant.

Feth. Hah- some o’ergrown Rival, on my Life.

[Feth. gets from it.

Will. What the Devil have we here?

[Aside.

Hunt. Bezolos mano’s, Seignior, I understand there is a Lady whoseBeauty and Proportion can only merit me: I’ll say no more- butshall be grateful to you for your Assistance.

Feth. ‘Tis so.

Hunt. The Devil’s in’t if this does not fright ‘em from a fartherCourtship.

[Aside.

Will. Fear nothing, Seignior- Seignior, you may try your Chance,and visit the Ladies.

[Talks to Hunt.

Feth. Why, where the Devil could this Monster conceal himself allthis while, that we should neither see nor hear of him?

Blunt. Oh- he lay disguis’d; I have heard of an Army that has doneso.

Feth. Pox, no single House cou’d hold him.

Blunt. No- he dispos’d himself in several parcels up and down theTown, here a Leg, and there an Arm; and hearing of this properMatch for him, put himself together to court his fellow Monster.

Feth. Good Lord! I wonder what Religion he’s of.

Blunt. Some heathen Papist, by his notable Plots and Contrivances.

Will. ‘Tis Hunt, that Rogue-

[Aside.Sir, I confess there is great Power in Sympathy- Conduct him tothe Ladies-

[He tries to go in at the Door.-I am sorry you cannot enter at that low Door, Seignior, I’llhave it broken down-

Hunt. No, Seignior, I can go in at twice.

Feth. How, at twice! what a Pox can he mean?

Will. Oh, Sir, ‘tis a frequent thing by way of Inchantment

[Hunt being all Doublet, leaps off from anotherMan who is all Breeches, and goes out;Breeches follows stalking.

Feth. Oh Pox, Mr. Doctor, this must be the Devil.

Will. Oh fie, Sir, the Devil! no ‘tis all done inchanted Girdle-These damn’d Rascals will spoil all by too gross an Impositionon the Fools.

[Aside.

Feth. This is the Devil, Ned, that’s certain- But hark ye, Mr.Doctor, I hope I shall not have my Mistress inchanted from me bythis inchanted Rival, hah?

Will. Oh, no, Sir, the Inquisition will never let ‘em marry, for

fear of a Race of Giants, ‘twill be worse than the Invasion ofthe Moors, or the French: but go- think of your Mistresses Namesand Ages, here’s Company, and you would not be seen.

[Ex. Blunt and Feth. Enter La Nuche and Aurelia; Will. bows to her.

La Nu. Sir, the Fame of your excellent Knowledge, and what you saidto me this day; has given me a Curiosity to learn my Fate, atleast that Fate you threatened.

Will. Madam, from the Oracle in the Box you may be resolved anyQuestion-

[Leads her to the Table,where stands a Box full of Balls; he stares on her.-How lovely every absent minute makes her- Madam, be pleas’d todraw from out this Box what Ball you will.

[She draws, he takes it, and gazes on her and on it.Madam, upon this little Globe is character’d your Fate andFortune; the History of your Life to come and past- first,Madam- you’re- a Whore.

La Nu. A very plain beginning.

Will. My Art speaks simple Truth; the Moon is your Ascendent, thatcovetous Planet that borrows all her Light, and is in oppositionstill to Venus; and Interest more prevails with you than Love:yet here I find a cross- intruding Line- that does inform me-you have an Itch that way, but Interest still opposes: you are aslavish mercenary Prostitute.

La Nu. Your Art is so, tho call’d divine, and all the Universe issway’d by Interest: and would you wish this Beauty which adornsme, should be dispos’d about for Charity? Proceed and speak moreReason.

Will. But Venus here gets the Ascent again, and spite of- Interest,spite of all Aversion, will make you doat upon a Man-[Still looking on, and turning the Ball.Wild, fickle, restless, faithless as the Winds!- a Man of Armshe is- and by this Line- a Captain-

[Looking on her.

for Mars and Venus were in conjunction at his Birth- and Loveand War’s his business.

La Nu. There thou hast toucht my Heart, and spoke so true, thatall thou say’st I shall receive as Oracle. Well, grant I love,that shall not make me yield.

Will. I must confess you’re ruin’d if you yield, and yet not allyour Pride, not all your Vows, your Wit, your Resolution, oryour Cunning, can hinder him from conquering absolutely: yourStars are fixt, and Fate irrevocable.

La Nu. No,- I will controul my Stars and Inclinations; and tho Ilove him more than Power or Interest, I will be Mistress of myfixt Resolves- One Question more- Does this same Captain, thiswild happy Man love me?

Will. I do not- find- it here- only a possibility incourag’d byyour Love- Oh that you cou’d resist- but you are destin’d his,and to be ruin’d.

[Sighs, and looks on her, she grows in a Rage].

La Nu. Why do you tell me this? I am betray’d, and every cautionblows my kindling Flame- hold- tell me no more- I might haveguess’d my Fate, from my own Soul have guest it- but yet Iwill be brave, I will resist in spite of Inclinations, Stars,or Devils.

Will. Strive not, fair Creature, with the Net that holds you,you’ll but intangle more. Alas! you must submit and be undone.

La Nu. Damn your false Art- had he but lov’d me too, it had excus’dthe Malice of my Stars.

Will. Indeed, his Love is doubtful; for here- I trace him in a newpursuit- which if you can this Night prevent, perhaps you fixhim.

La Nu. Hah, pursuing a new Mistress! there thou hast met the littleResolution I had left, and dasht it into nothing- but I havevow’d Allegiance to my Interest- Curse on my Stars, they cou’dnot give me Love where that might be advanc’d- I’ll hear no

more. [Gives him Money. Enter Shift. ]-Enter Shift.

Shift. Sir, there are several Strangers arriv’d, who talk of theold Oracle. How will you receive ‘em?

Will. I’ve business now, and must be excus’d a while.- Thus far-I’m well; but I may tell my Tale so often o’er, till, like theTrick of Love, I spoil the pleasure by the repetition.- Now I’lluncase, and see what Effects my Art has wrought on La Nuche, forshe’s the promis’d Good, the Philosophick Treasure thatterminates my Toil and Industry. Wait you here.

[Ex. Will.]Enter Ariadne in Mens Clothes, with Lucia so drest, and other Strangers.

Aria. How now, Seignior Operator, where’s this renowned Man of Artsand Sciences, this Don of Wonders?- hah! may a Man have aPistole’s Worth or two of his Tricks? will he shew, Seignor?

Shift. Whatever you dare see, Sir.

Aria. And I dare see the greatest Bug-bear he can conjure up, myMistress’s Face in a Glass excepted.

Shift. That he can shew, Sir, but is now busied in weighty Affairswith a Grandee.

Aria. Pox, must we wait the Leisure of formal Grandees andStatesmen- ha, who’s this?- the lovely Conqueress of my Heart,La Nuche.

[Goes to her, she is talking with Aurel.

La Nu. What foolish thing art thou?

Aria. Nay, do not frown, nor fly; for if you do, I must arrest you,fair one.

La Nu. At whose Suit, pray?

Aria. At Love’s- you have stol’n a Heart of mine, and us’d it

scurvily.

La Nu. By what marks do you know the Toy, that I may be no longertroubled with it?

Aria. By a fresh Wound, which toucht by her that gave it bleedsanew, a Heart all over kind and amorous.

La Nu. When was this pretty Robbery committed?

Aria. To day, most sacrilegiously, at Church, where you debauch’dmy Zeal; and when I wou’d have pray’d, your Eyes had put theChange upon my Tongue, and made it utter Railings: Heav’nforgive ye!

La Nu. You are the gayest thing without a Heart, I ever saw.

Aria. I scorn to flinch for a bare Wound or two; nor is he routedthat has lost the day, he may again rally, renew the Fight, andvanquish.

La Nu. You have a good opinion of that Beauty, which I find not soforcible, nor that fond Prattle uttered with such Confidence.

Aria. But I have Quality and Fortune too.

La Nu. So had you need. I should have guest the first by yourpertness; for your saucy thing of Quality acts the Man asimpudently at fourteen, as another at thirty: nor is there anything so hateful as to hear it talk of Love, Women and Drinking;nay, to see it marry too at that Age, and get itself a Play-fellow in its Son and Heir.

Aria. This Satyr on my Youth shall never put me out of countenance,or make me think you wish me one day older; and egad, I’llwarrant them that tries me, shall find me ne’er an hour tooyoung.

La Nu. You mistake my Humour, I hate the Person of a fair conceitedBoy.

Enter Willmore drest, singing.

Will. Vole, vole dans cette Cage,Petite Oyseau dans cet bocage.-How now, Fool, where’s the Doctor?

Shift. A little busy, Sir.

Will. Call him, I am in haste, and come to cheapen the Price ofMonster.

Shift. As how, Sir?

Will. In an honourable way, I will lawfully marry one of ‘em, andhave pitcht upon the Giant; I’ll bid as fair as any Man.

Shift. No doubt but you will speed, Sir: please you, Sir, to walkin.

Will. I’ll follow- Vole, vole dans cette Cage, &c.

Luc. Why, ‘tis the Captain, Madam-

[Aside to Aria.

La Nu. Hah- marry- harkye, Sir,- a word, pray.

[As he is going out she pulls him. ]-

Will. Your Servant, Madam, your Servant- Vole, vole, &c.

[Puts his Hat off carelesly, and walks by, going out.

Luc. And to be marry’d, mark that.

Aria. Then there’s one doubt over, I’m glad he is not married.

La Nu. Come back- Death, I shall burst with Anger- this Coldnessblows my Flame, which if once visible, makes him a Tyrant-

Will. Fool, what’s a Clock, fool? this noise hinders me fromhearing it strike.

[Shakes his Pockets, and walks up and down.]

La Nu. A blessed sound, if no Hue and Cry pursue it.-what- you are resolv’d then upon this notable Exploit?

Will. What Exploit, good Madam?

La Nu. Why, marrying of a Monster, and an ugly Monster.

Will. Yes faith, Child, here stands the bold Knight, that singly,and unarm’d, designs to enter the List with Thogogandiga theGiant; a good Sword will defend a worse cause than an ugly Wife.I know no danger worse than fighting for my Living, and I havedon’t this dozen years for Bread.

La Nu. This is the common trick of all Rogues, when they have donean ill thing to face it out.

Will. An ill thing- your Pardon, Sweet-heart, compare it but toBanishment, a frozen Sentry with brown George and Spanish Pay;and if it be not better to be Master of a Monster, than Slave toa damn’d Commonwealth- I submit- and since my Fortune hasthrownthis good in my way-

La Nu. You’ll not be so ungrateful to refuse it; besides then youmay hope to sleep again, without dreaming of Famine, or the

Sword, two Plagues a Soldier of Fortune is subject to.Will. Besides Cashiering, a third Plague.

La Nu. Still unconcern’d!- you call me mercenary, but I wouldstarve e’er suffer my self to be possest by a thing of Horror.

Will. You lye, you would by any thing of Horror: yet these thingsof Horror have Beauties too, Beauties thou canst not boast of,Beauties that will not fade; Diamonds to supply the lustre oftheir Eyes, and Gold the brightness of their Hair, a well-gotMillion to atone for Shape, and Orient Pearls, more white, moreplump and smooth, than that fair Body Men so languish for, andthou hast set such Price on.

Aria. I like not this so well, ‘tis a trick to make her jealous.

Will. Their Hands too have their Beauties, whose very mark findscredit and respect, their Bills are current o’er the Universe;besides these, you shall see waiting at my Door, four Footmen, aVelvet Coach, with Six Flanders Beauties more: And are not these

most comely Virtues in a Soldier’s Wife, in this most wickedpeaceable Age?

Luc. He’s poor too, there’s another comfort.

[Aside.

Aria. The most incouraging one I have met with yet.

Will. Pox on’t, I grow weary of this virtuous Poverty. There goes agallant Fellow, says one, but gives him not an Onion; the Womentoo, faith, ‘tis a handsom Gentleman, but the Devil a Kiss hegets gratis.

Aria. Oh, how I long to undeceive him of that Error.

La Nu. He speaks not of me; sure he knows me not.

[Aside.

Will. No, Child, Money speaks sense in a Language all Nationsunderstand, ‘tis Beauty, Wit, Courage, Honour, and undisputable

Reason- see the virtue of a Wager, that new philosophical waylately found out of deciding all hard Questions- Socrates,without ready Money to lay down, must yield.

Aria. Well, I must have this gallant Fellow.

[Aside.

La. Nu. Sure he has forgot this trival thing.

Will. -Even thou- who seest me dying unregarded, wou’d then be fondand kind, and flatter me.

[Soft tone.By Heaven, I’ll hate thee then; nay, I will marry to be rich tohate thee: the worst of that, is but to suffer nine DaysWonderment. Is not that better than an Age of Scorn from a proudfaithless Beauty?

Lu. Nu. Oh, there’s Resentment left- why, yes faith, such a Weddingwould give the Town diversion: we should have a lamentable Dittymade on it, it, entitled, The Captain’s Wedding, with thedoleful Relation of his being over-laid by an o’er-grown

Monster.

Will. I’ll warrant ye I escape that as sure as cuckolding; for Iwould fain see that hardy Wight that dares attempt my LadyBright, either by Force or Flattery.

La Nu. So, then you intend to bed her?

Will. Yes faith, and beget a Race of Heroes, the Mother’s Form withall the Father’s Qualities.

La Nu. Faith, such a Brood may prove a pretty Livelihood for a poordecay’d Officer; you may chance to get a Patent to shew ‘em inEngland, that Nation of Change and Novelty.

Will. A provision old Carlo cannot make for you against theabandon’d day.

La Nu. He can supply the want of Issue a better way; and tho he benot so fine a fellow as your self, he’s a better Friend, he can

keep a Mistress: give me a Man can feed and clothe me, as wellas hug and all to bekiss me, and tho his Sword be not so good asyours, his Bond’s worth a thousand Captains. This will not do,I’ll try what Jealousy will do. [Aside.Your Servant, Captain- your Hand, Sir.

[Takes Ariadne by the Hand.

Will. Hah, what new Coxcomb’s that- hold, Sir-

[Takes her from him.]

Aria. What would you, Sir, ought with this Lady?

Will. Yes, that which thy Youth will only let thee guess at-this- Child, is Man’s Meat; there are other Toys for Children.

[Offers to lead her off.]

La Nu. Oh insolent! and whither would’st thou lead me?

Will. Only out of harm’s way, Child, here are pretty nearConveniences within: the Doctor will be civil- ‘tis part of his

Calling- Your Servant, Sir-[Going off with her.

Aria. I must huff now, tho I may chance to be beaten- come back- orI have something here that will oblige ye to’t.

[Laying his hand on his Sword.]

Will. Yes faith, thou’rt a pretty Youth; but at this time I’ve moreoccasion for a thing in Petticoats- go home, and do not walk theStreets so much; that tempting Face of thine will debauch thegrave men of business, and make the Magistrates lust afterWickedness.

Aria. You are a scurvy Fellow, Sir.

[Going to draw.

Will. Keep in your Sword, for fear it cut your Fingers, Child.

Aria. So ‘twill your Throat, Sir- here’s Company coming that willpart us, and I’ll venture to draw.

[Draws, Will. draws.] Enter Beaumond.

Beau. Hold, hold- hah, Willmore! thou Man of constant mischief,what’s the matter?

La Nu. Beaumond! undone!

Aria. -Beaumond!-

Will. Why, here’s a young Spark will take my Lady Bright from me;the unmanner’d Hot-spur would not have patience till I hadfinish’d my small Affair with her.

[Puts up his Sword.

Aria. Death, he’ll know me- Sir, you see we are prevented.

[Draws him aside.]-or-

[Seems to talk to him, Beau. gazes on La Nuche, who haspull’d down her Veil.

Beau. ‘Tis she! Madam, this Veil’s too thin to hide the perjur’dBeauty underneath. Oh, have I been searching thee, with all thediligence of impatient Love, and am I thus rewarded, to findthee here incompass’d round with Strangers, fighting, who firstshould take my right away?- Gods! take your Reason back, takeall your Love; for easy Man’s unworthy of the Blessings.

Will. Harkye, Harry- the- Woman- the almighty Whore- thou told’stme of to day.

Beau. Death, do’st thou mock my Grief- unhand me strait, for tho Icannot blame thee, I must hate thee.

[Goes out. ]-

Will. What the Devil ails he?

Aria. You will be sure to come.

Will. At night in the Piazza; I have an Assignation with a Woman,

that once dispatch’d, I will not fail ye, Sir.

Luc. And will you leave him with her?

Aria. Oh, yes, he’ll be ne’er the worse for my use when he has donewith her.

[Ex. Luc. and Aria. Will. looks with scorn on La Nuche].

Will. Now you may go o’ertake him, lie with him- and ruin him: theFool was made for such a Destiny- if he escapes my Sword.

[He offers to go.]

La Nu. I must prevent his visit to this Woman- but dare not tellhim so.

[Aside.]-I would not have ye meet this angry Youth.

Will. Oh, you would preserve him for a farther use.

La Nu. Stay- you must not fight- by Heaven, I cannot see- that

Bosom- wounded. [Turns and weeps.]

Will. Hah! weep’st thou? curse me when I refuse a faith to thatobliging Language of thy Eyes- Oh give me one proof more, andafter that, thou conquerest all my Soul; Thy Eyes speak Love-come, let us in, my Dear, e’er the bright Fire allays thatwarms my Heart.

[Goes to lead her out.

La Nu. Your Love grows rude, and saucily demands it. [Flings away.

Will. Love knows no Ceremony, no respect when once approacht sonear the happy minute.

La Nu. What desperate easiness have you seen in me, or whatmistaken merit in your self, should make you so ridiculouslyvain, to think I’d give my self to such a Wretch, one fal’n evento the last degree of Poverty, whilst all the World is prostrateat my Feet, whence I might chuse the Brave, the Great, the Rich?

[He stands spitefully gazing at her.]

-Still as he fires, I find my Pride augment, and when he coolsI burn.

[Aside.

Will. Death, thou’rt a- vain, conceited, taudry Jilt, who wou’stdraw me in as Rooks their Cullies do, to make me venture all mystock of Love, and then you turn me out despis’d and poor-

[Offers to go.]

La Nu. You think you’re gone now-

Will. Not all thy Arts nor Charms shall hold me longer.

La Nu. I must submit- and can you part thus from me?-

[Pulls him.]

Will. I can- nay, by Heaven, I will not turn, nor look at thee.No, when I do, or trust that faithless Tongue again- may I be-

La Nu. Oh do not swear-

Will. Ever curst-

[Breaks from her, she holds him.

La Nu. You shall not go- Plague of this needles Pride.

[Aside.-stay- and I’ll follow all the dictates of my Love.

Will. Oh never hope to flatter me to faith again.

[His back to her, she holding him.]

La Nu. I must, I will; what wou’d you have me do?

Will. [turning softly to her.] Never- deceive me more, it may be]

fatal to wind me up to an impatient height, then dash my eager

Hopes. [Sighing.]Forgive my roughness- and be kind, La Nuche, I know thou wo’t-

La Nu. Will you then be ever kind and true?

Will. Ask thy own Charms, and to confirm thee more, yield anddisarm me quite.

La Nu. Will you not marry then? for tho you never can be mine thatway, I cannot think that you should be another’s.

Will. No more delays, by Heaven, ‘twas but a trick.

La Nu. And will you never see that Woman neither, whom you’re thisNight to visit?

Will. Damn all the rest of thy weak Sex, when thou look’st thus,and art so soft and charming.

[Offers to lead her out.]

La Nu. Sancho- my Coach.

[Turns in scorn.]

Will. Take heed, what mean ye?

La Nu. Not to be pointed at by all the envying Women of the Town,who’l laugh and cry, Is this the high-priz’d Lady, now fall’n solow, to doat upon a Captain? a poor disbanded Captain? defend mefrom that Infamy.

Will. Now all the Plagues- but yet I will not curse thee, ‘tis loston thee, for thou art destin’d damn’d.

[Going out.

La Nu. Whither so fast?

Will. Why,- I am so indifferent grown, that I can tell thee now-to a Woman, young, fair and honest; she’ll be kind and thankful-farewel, Jilt- now should’st thou die for one sight more of me,thou should’st not ha’t; nay, should’st thou sacrifice all thouhast couzen’d other Coxcombs of, to buy one single visit, I amso proud, by Heaven, thou shouldst not have it- To grieve theemore, see here, insatiate Woman

[Shews her a Purse or hands fullof Gold] the Charm that makes me lovely in thine Eyes: it had

all been thine hadst thou not basely bargain’d with me, now ‘tisthe Prize of some well-meaning Whore, whose Modesty will trustmy Generosity.

[Goes out. ]

La Nu. Now I cou’d rave, t’have lost an opportunity which industrynor chance can give again- when on the yielding point, a cursedfit of Pride comes cross my Soul, and stops the kind Career-I’ll follow him, yes I’ll follow him, even to the Arms of her towhom he’s gone.

Aur. Madam, tis dark, and we may meet with Insolence.

La Nu. No matter: Sancho, let the Coach go home, and do you followme-Women may boast their Honour and their Pride,But Love soon lays those feebler Powr’s aside.

[Exeunt.]

ACT IV.

SCENE I. The Street, or Backside of the Piazza dark.Enter Willmore alone.

Will. A Pox upon this Woman that has jilted me, and I for being afond believing Puppy to be in earnest with so great a Devil.Where be these Coxcombs too? this Blunt and Fetherfool? when aMan needs ‘em not, they are plaguing him with their unseasonableJests- could I but light on them, I would be very drunk tonight- but first I’ll try my Fortune with this Woman- let mesee- hereabouts is the Door.

[Gropes about for the Door. Enter Beaumond, follow’d by La Nuche, and Sancho.

La Nu. ‘Tis he, I know it by his often and uneasy pauses-

Beau. And shall I home and sleep upon my injury, whilst this morehappy Rover takes my right away?- no, damn me then for a coldsenseless Coward.

[Pauses and pulls out a Key.]

Will. This Damsel, by the part o’th’ Town she lives in, shou’d beof Quality, and therefore can have no dishonest design on me,it must be right down substantial Love, that’s certain.

Beau. Yet I’ll in and arm my self for the Encounter, for ‘twill berough between us, tho we’re Friends.

[Groping about, finds the Door.]

Will. Oh, ‘tis this I’m sure, because the Door is open.

Beau. Hah- who’s there?-

[Beau. advances to unlock the Door, runs against Will. draws].

Will. That Voice is of Authority, some Husband, Lover, or aBrother, on my Life- this is a Nation of a word and a blow,therefore I’ll betake me to Toledo-

[Draws.[Willmore in drawing hits his Sword against that of

Beaumond, who turns and fights, La Nuche runsinto the Garden frighted.

Beau. Hah, are you there?

Sanc. I’ll draw in defence of the Captain-

[Sancho fights for Beau. and beats out Will. ]-

Will. Hah, two to one?

[Turns and goes in.]

Beau. The Garden Door clapt to; sure he’s got in; nay, then I havehim sure.

The Scene changes to a Garden, La Nuche in it; to her Beau.who takes hold of her sleeve.

La Nu. Heavens, where am I?

Beau. Hah-a Woman! and by these Jewels- should be Ariadne.

[feels.]’

Tis so! Death, are all Women false?[She struggles to get away, he holds her.]

-Oh, tis in vain thou fly’st, thy Infamy will stay behind theestill.

La Nu. Hah, ‘tis Beaumond’s Voice!-Now for an Art to turn the trick upon him; I must not lose hisFriendship.

[Aside.]Enter Willmore softly, peeping behind.

Will. What a Devil have we here, more Mischief yet;- hah- my Womanwith a Man- I shall spoil all- I ever had an excellent knack ofdoing so.

Beau. Oh Modesty, where art thou? Is this the effect of all yourput on Jealousy, that Mask to hide your own new falshood in?New!- by Heaven, I believe thou’rt old in cunning, that couldstcontrive, so near thy Wedding-night, this, to deprive me of theRites of Love.

La Nu. Hah, what says he? [Aside.

Will. How, a Maid, and young, and to be marry’d too! a rare Wenchthis to contrive Matters so conveniently: Oh, for some Mischiefnow to send him neatly off.

[Aside.

Beau. Now you are silent; but you could talk to day loudly ofVirtue, and upbraid my Vice: oh how you hated a young keepingHusband, whom neither Beauty nor Honour in a Wife cou’d obligeto reason- oh, damn your Honour, ‘tis that’s the sly pretenceof all your domineering insolent Wives- Death- what thou see inme, should make thee think that I would be a tame contentedCuckold?

[Going, she holds him.

La Nu. I must not lose this lavish loving Fool- [Aside.

Will. So, I hope he will be civil and withdraw, and leave me inpossession-

Beau. No, tho my Fortune should depend on thee; nay, all my hope offuture happiness- by Heaven, I scorn to marry thee, unless thoucouldst convince me thou wer’t honest- a Whore!- Death, how itcools my Blood-

Will. And fires mine extremely-

La Nu. Nay, then I am provok’d tho I spoil all-

[Aside.And is a Whore a thing so much despis’d?Turn back, thou false forsworn- turn back, and blush at thymistaken folly.

[He stands amaz’d.

Beau. La Nuche!

Enter Aria. peeping, advancing cautiously undrest, Luc.following.

Aria. Oh, he is here- Lucia, attend me in the Orange-grove-

[Ex. Lucia. ]

Hah, a Woman with him!

Will. Hum- what have we here? another Damsel?- she’s gay too, andseems young and handsom- sure one of these will fall to myshare; no matter which, so I am sure of one.

La Nu. Who’s silent now? are you struck dumb with Guilt? thou shameto noble Love; thou scandal to all brave Debauchery, thou Fop ofFortune; thou slavish Heir to Estate and Wife, born rich anddamn’d to Matrimony.

Will. Egad, a noble Wench- I am divided yet.

La Nu. Thou formal Ass disguis’d in generous Leudness, see- whenthe Vizor’s off, how sneakingly that empty form appears- Nay‘tis thy own- Make much on’t, marry with it, and be damn’d.

[Offers to go.]

Will. I hope she’ll beat him for suspecting her.

[He holds her, she turns.]

Aria. Hah- who the Devil can these be?

La Nu. What silly honest Fool did you mistake me for? whatsenseless modest thing? Death, am I grown so despicable? have Ideserv’d no better from thy Love than to be taken for a virtuousChangeling?

Will. Egad, ‘twas an Affront.

[Aside.

La Nu. I’m glad I’ve found thee out to be an errant Coxcomb, onethat esteems a Woman for being chaste forsooth! ‘Sheart, I shallhave thee call me pious shortly, a most- religious Matron!

Will. Egad, she has reason-

[aside.

Beau. Forgive me- for I took ye- for another. [Sighing.

La Nu. Oh did you so? it seems you keep fine Company the while-Death, that I should e’er be seen with such a vile Dissembler,with one so vain, so dull and so impertinent, as can beentertain’d by honest Women!

Will. A Heavenly Soul, and to my Wish, were I but sure of her.

Beau. Oh you do wondrous well t’accuse me first! yes, I am aCoxcomb- a confounded one, to doat upon so false a Prostitute;nay to love seriously, and tell it too: yet such an amorousCoxcomb I was born, to hate the Enjoyment of the loveliestWoman, without I have the Heart: the fond soft Prattle, and thelolling Dalliance, the Frowns, the little Quarrels, and the kindDegrees of making Peace again, are Joys which I prefer to allthe sensual, whilst I endeavour to forget the Whore, and pay myVows to Wit, to Youth and Beauty.

Aria. Now hang me, if it be not Beaumond.

Beau. Would any Devil less than common Woman have serv’d me asthoudidst? say, was not this my Night? my paid for Night? my own byright of Bargain, and by Love? and hast not thou deceiv’d me fora Stranger?

Will. So- make me thankful, then she will be kind.

[Hugs himself.

Beau. -Was this done like a Whore of Honour think ye? and would notsuch an Injury make me forswear all Joys of Womankind, andmarryin mere spite?

La Nu. Why where had been the Crime had I been kind?

Beau. Thou dost confess it then.

La Nu. Why not?

Beau. Those Bills of Love the oftner paid and drawn, make Womenbetter Merchants than Lovers.

La Nu. And ‘tis the better Trade.

Will. Oh Pox, there she dasht all again. I find they calm upon’t,and will agree, therefore I’ll bear up to this small Frigate andlay her aboard.

[Goes to Ariadne.

La Nu. However I’m glad the Vizor’s off; you might have fool’d meon, and sworn I was the only Conqueror of your Heart, had notGood-nature made me follow you, to undeceive your falseSuspicions of me: How have you sworn never to marry? how rail’dat Wives, and satir’d Fools oblig’d to Wedlock? And now at last,to thy eternal Shame, thou hast betray’d thy self to be a mostpernicious honourable Lover, a perjur’d- honest- nay, a veryHusband.

[Turns away, he holds her.]

Aria. Hah, sure ‘tis the Captain.

Will. Prithee, Child, let’s leave ‘em to themselves, they’l agreematters I’ll warrant them when they are alone; and let us tryhow Love and Good-nature will provide for us.

Aria. Sure he cannot know me?- Us!- pray who are you, and who am I?

Will. Why look ye, Child, I am a very honest civil Fellow, for mypart, and thou’rt a Woman for thine; and I desire to know nomore at present.

Aria. ‘Tis he, and knows not me to be the same he appointed to day-Sir, pursue that Path on your right Hand, that Grove of Orange-Trees, and I’ll follow you immediately.

Will. Kind and civil- prithee make haste, dear Child.

[Exit. Will.]

Beau. And did you come to call me back again? [Lovingly.

La Nu. No matter, you are to be marry’d, Sir-

Beau. No more, ‘tis true, to please my Uncle, I have talk’d of somesuch thing; but I’ll pursue it no farther, so thou wilt yet bemine, and mine intirely- I hate this Ariadne- for a Wife- byHeaven I do.

Aria. A very plain Confession.

[Claps him on the back.

Beau. Ariadne!

La Nu. I’m glad of this, now I shall be rid of him.

[Aside.

-How is’t, Sir? I see you struggle hard ‘twixt Love and Honour,and I’ll resign my Place-

[Offers to go, Ariadne pulls her back.]

Aria. Hold, if she take him not away, I shall disappoint my Man-faith, I’ll not be out-done in Generosity.

[Gives him to La Nuche.Here- Love deserves him best- and I resign him- Pox on’t I’mhonest, tho that’s no fault of mine; ‘twas Fortune who has madea worse Exchange, and you and I should suit most damnablytogether.

[To Beau.]

Beau. I am sure there’s something in the Wind, she being in theGarden, and the Door left open.

[Aside.-Yes, I believe you are willing enough to part with me, when youexpect another you like better.

Aria. I’m glad I was before-hand with you then.

Beau. Very good, and the Door was left open to give admittance to aLover.

Aria. ‘Tis visible it was to let one in to you, false as you are.

La Nu. Faith, Madam, you mistake my Constitution, my Beauty and myBusiness is only to be belov’d not to love; I leave that Slaveryfor you Women of Quality, who must invite, or die without theBlessing; for likely the Fool you make choice of wants Wit orConfidence to ask first; you are fain to whistle before the Dogswill fetch and carry, and then too they approach by stealth: andhaving done the Drudgery, the submissive Curs are turn’d out for

fear of dirtying your Apartment, or that the Mungrils shouldscandalize ye; whilst all my Lovers of the noble kind throng toadore and fill my Presence daily, gay as if each were triumphingfor Victory.

Aria. Ay this is something; what a poor sneaking thing an honestWoman is!

La Nu. And if we chance to love still, there’s a difference, yourHours of Love are like the Deeds of Darkness, and mine likecheerful Birds in open Day.

Aria. You may, you have no Honour to lose.

La Nu. Or if I had, why should I double the Sin by Hypocrisy?

[Lucia squeaks within, crying, help, help.]

Aria. Heavens, that’s Lucia’s Voice.

Beau. Hah, more caterwauling?

Enter Lucia in haste.

Luc. Oh, Madam, we’re undone; and, Sir, for Heaven’s sake do youretire.

Beau. What’s the matter?

Luc. Oh you have brought the most villainous mad Friend with you-he found me sitting on a Bank- and did so ruffle me.

Aria. Death, she takes Beaumond for the Stranger, and will ruin me.Luc. Nay, made love so loud, that my Lord your Father-in-law,who

was in his Cabinet, heard us from the Orange-Grove, and has sentto search the Garden- and should he find a Stranger with you- dobut you retire, Sir, and all’s well yet.

[To Beaumond.

Aria. The Devil’s in her Tongue.

[Aside.

Luc. For if Mr. Beaumond be in the House, we shall have the Devilto do with his Jealousy.

Aria. So, there ‘tis out.

Beau. She takes me for another- I am jilted every where- whatFriend?- I brought none with me.-Madam, do you retire-

[To La Nuche.

La Nu. Glad of my Freedom too-

[Goes out.[A clashing of Swords within. Enter Willm. fighting,]

prest back by three or four Men, and Abevile,

Aria. and Luc. run out.

Beau. Hah, set on by odds; hold, tho thou be’st my Rival, I willfree thee, on condition thou wilt meet me to morrow morning inthe Piazza by day break.

[Puts himself between their Swords, and speaks to Will. aside.

Will. By Heaven I’ll do it.

Beau. Retire in safety then, you have your pass.

Abev. Fall on, fall on, the number is increas’d. [Fall on Beau.]

Beau. Rascals, do you not know me?[Falls in with ‘em and heats them back, and goes out with them. ]-

Will. Nay, and you be so well acquainted, I’ll leave you-unfortunate still I am; my own well meaning, but ill Management,is my eternal Foe: Plague on ‘em, they have wounded me- yet notone drop of Blood’s departed from me that warm’d my Heart forWoman, and I’m not willing to quit this Fairy-ground till somekind Devil have been civil to me.

Enter Ariadne and Lucia.

Aria. I say, ‘tis he: thou’st made so many dull Mistakes to Night,thou darest not trust thy Senses when they’re true- How do you,Sir?

Will. That Voice has Comfort in’t, for ‘tis a Woman’s: hah, moreInterruption?

Aria. A little this way, Sir.

[Ex. Aria. and Will. into the Garden. ]-Enter Beaumond, Abevile in a submissive Posture.

Beau. No more excuses- By all these Circumstances, I know thisAriadne is a Gipsy. What difference then between a money-takingMistress and her that gives her Love? only perhaps this sinsthe closer by’t, and talks of Honour more: What Fool wou’d be aSlave to empty Name, or value Woman for dissembling well? I’llto La Nuche- the honester o’th’ two- Abevile- get me my Musickready, and attend me at La Nuche’s.

[Ex. severally. ]

Luc. He’s gone, and to his Mistress too.

Enter Ariadne pursu’d by Willmore.

Will. My little Daphne, ‘tis in vain to fly, unless like her, youcou’d be chang’d into a Tree: Apollo’s self pursu’d not withmore eager Fire than I. [Holds her.

Aria. Will you not grant a Parly e’er I yield?

Will. I’m better at a Storm.

Aria. Besides, you’re wounded too.

Will. Oh leave those Wounds of Honour to my Surgeon, thy Businessis to cure those of Love. Your true bred Soldier ever fightswith the more heat for a Wound or two.

Aria. Hardly in Venus’ Wars.

Will. Her self ne’er thought so when she snatcht her Joys betweenthe rough Encounters of the God of War. Come, let’s pursue theBusiness we came for: See the kind Night invites, and all theruffling Winds are husht and still, only the Zephirs spreadtheir tender Wings, courting in gentle Murmurs the gay Boughs;‘twas in a Night like this, Diana taught the Mysteries of Loveto the fair Boy Endymion. I am plaguy full of History and Similetonight.

Aria. You see how well he far’d for being modest.

Will. He might be modest, but ‘twas not over-civil to put herGoddessship to asking first; thou seest I’m better bred- Comelet’s haste to silent Grots that attend us, dark Groves wherenone can see, and murmuring Fountains.

Aria. Stay, let me consider first, you are a Stranger, inconstanttoo as Island Winds, and every day are fighting for yourMistresses, of which you’ve had at least four since I saw youfirst, which is not a whole day.

Will. I grant ye, before I was a Lover I ran at random, but I’lltake up now, be a patient Man, and keep to one Woman a Month.

Aria. A Month!

Will. And a fair Reason, Child; time was, I wou’d have worn oneShirt, or one pair of Shoos so long as have let the Sun settwice upon the same Sin: but see the Power of Love; thou hastbewitched me, that’s certain.

Aria. Have a care of giving me the ascendent over ye, for fear Imake ye marry me.

Will. Hold, I bar that cast, Child; no, I’m none of those Spiritsthat can be conjur’d into a Wedding-ring, and dance in the dullmatrimonial Circle all my Days.

Aria. But what think you of a hundred thousand Crowns, and a Beautyof sixteen?

Will. As of most admirable Blessings: but harkye, Child, I amplaguily afraid thou’rt, some scurvy honest thing of Quality bythese odd Questions of thine, and hast some wicked Design uponmy Body.

Aria. What, to have and to hold I’ll warrant.- No Faith, Sir, Maidsof my Quality expect better Jointures than a Buff-coat, Scarfand Feather: such Portions as mine are better Ornaments in aFamily than a Captain and his Commission.

Will. Why well said, now thou hast explain’d thy self like a Womanof Honour- Come, come, let’s away.

Aria. Explain my self! How mean ye?

Will. -Thou say’st I am not fit to marry thee- and I believe thisAssignation was not made to tell me so, nor yet to hear mewhistle to the Birds.

Aria. Faith no. I saw you, lik’d ye, and had a mind to ye.

Will. Ay, Child-

Aria. In short, I took ye for a Man of Honour.

Will. Nay, if I tell the Devil take me.

Aria. I am a Virgin in Distress.

Will. Poor Heart.

Aria. To be marry’d within a Day or two to one I like not.

Will. Hum- and therefore wouldst dispose of a small Virgin Treasure(too good for silly Husbands) in a Friend’s Hands: faith, Child-I was ever a good religious charitable Christian, and shallacquit my self as honestly and piously in this Affair as becomesa Gentleman.

Enter Abevile with Musick.

Abev. Come away, are ye all arm’d for the Business?

Aria. Hah, arm’d! we are surpriz’d again.

Will. Fear not. [Draws.

Aria. Oh God, Sir, haste away, you are already wounded: but Iconjure you, as a Man of Honour, be here at the Garden Gate tonight again, and bring a Friend, in case of Danger, with you;and if possible I’ll put my self into your Hands, for thisNight’s Work has ruin’d me-[Speaking quick, and pushing him forwards runs off.

Abev. My Master sure not gone yet- [Peeping advancing.

Will. Rascals, tho you are odds, you’ll find hot Work invanquishing. [Falls on ‘em.

Abev. Hold, Sir, I am your Page. Do you not know me? and these theMusick you commanded- shall I carry em where you order’d, Sir?

Will. They take me for some other, this was lucky. [Aside.O, aye- ‘tis well- I’ll follow- but whither?- Plague of my dullMistakes, the Woman’s gone- yet stay- [Calls ‘em.For now I think on’t, this Mistake may help me to another- stay-I must dispose of this mad Fire about me, which all these

Disappointments cannot lay- Oh for some young kind Sinner in thenick- How I cou’d souse upon her like a Bird of Prey, and worryher with Kindness. [Aside.-Go on, I follow.

[Exeunt.

Scene changes to La Nuche’s House.Enter Petronella and Aurelia with Light.

Aur. Well, the Stranger is in Bed, and most impatiently expects ourPatrona, who is not yet returned.

Pet. Curse of this Love! I know she’s in pursuit of this Rover,this English Piece of Impudence; Pox on ‘em, I know nothing goodin the whole Race of ‘em, but giving all to their Shirts whenthey’re drunk. What shall we do, Aurelia? This Stranger mustnot be put off, nor Carlo neither, who has fin’d again as if fora new Maidenhead.

Aur. You are so covetous, you might have put ‘em off, but now ‘tistoo late.

Pet. Put off! Are these Fools to be put off think ye? a fine FopEnglishman, and an old doating Grandee?- No, I cou’d put the oldtrick on ‘em still, had she been here but to have entertain’d‘em: but hark, one knocks, ‘tis Carlo on my Life-

Enter Carlo, gives Petronella Gold.

Car. Let this plead for me.

Pet. Sweet Don, you are the most eloquent Person.

Car. I would regale to night- I know it is not mine, but I’ve sentfive hundred Crowns to purchase it, because I saw anotherbargaining for’t; and Persons of my Quality must not berefus’d: you apprehend me.

Pet. Most rightly- that was the Reason then she came so out ofHumour home- and is gone to Bed in such a sullen Fit.

Car. To Bed, and all alone! I would surprize her there. Oh how it

pleases me to think of stealing into her Arms like a fine Dream,Wench, hah.

Aur. ‘Twill be a pleasant one, no doubt.

Pet. He lays the way out how he’ll be cozen’d.

[Aside.-The Seigniora perhaps may be angry, Sir, but I’ll venturethat to accommodate you; and that you may surprize her the morereadily, be pleased to stay in my Chamber, till you think shemay be asleep.

Car. Thou art a perfect Mistress of thy Trade.

Pet. So, now will I to the Seigniora’s Bed my self, drest andperfum’d, and finish two good Works at once; earn five hundredCrowns, and keep up the Honour of the House.

[Aside.]- Softly,sweet Don.

[Lights him out.

Aur. And I will do two more good things, and disappoint yourExpectations; jilt the young English Fool, and have old Carlowell bang’d, if t’other have any Courage.

Enter La Nuche in Rage, and Sancho.

La Nu. Aurelia, help, help me to be reveng’d upon this wretchedunconsidering Heart.

Aur. Heavens, have you made the Rover happy, Madam?

La Nu. Oh wou’d I had! or that or any Sin wou’d change this Rageinto some easier Passion: Sickness and Poverty, Disgrace andPity, all met iii one, were kinder than this Love, this ragingFire of a proud amorous Heart.

Enter Petronella.

Pet. Heavens, what’s the matter?

Aur. Here’s Petronella, dissemble but your Rage a little.

La Nu. Damn all dissembling now, it is too late-The Tyrant Love reigns absolute within,And I am lost, Aurelia.

Pet. How, Love! forbid it Heaven! will Love maintain ye?

La Nu. Curse on your Maxims, will they ease my Heart? Can your wiseCounsel fetch me back my Rover?

Pet. Hah, your Rover, a Pox upon him.

La Nu. He’s gone- gone to the Arms of some gay generous Maid, whonobly follows Love’s diviner Dictates, whilst I ‘gainst Naturestudying thy dull Precepts, and to be base and infamously rich,have barter’d all the Joys of human Life- Oh give me Love: Iwill be poor and love.

Pet. She’s lost- but hear me-

La Nu. I won’t, from Childhood thou hast trained me up in Cunning,read Lectures to me of the use of Man, but kept me from theknowledge of the Right; taught me to jilt, to flatter anddeceive: and hard it was to learn th’ ungrateful Lessons. But ohhow soon plain Nature taught me Love, and shew’d me all thecheat of thy false Tenents- No- give me Love with any otherCurse.

Pet. But who will give you that when you are poor? when you arewretchedly despis’d and poor?

La Nu. Hah!

Pet. Do you not daily see fine Clothes, rich Furniture, Jewels andPlate are more inviting than Beauty unadorn’d? be old,diseas’d, deform’d, be any thing, so you be rich and splendidlyattended, you’ll find your self lov’d and ador’d by all- But I’man old fool still- Well, Petronella, had’st thou been half asindustrious in thy Youth as in thy Age- thou hadst not come tothis.

[Weeps.

La Nu. She’s in the right.

Pet. What can this mad poor Captain do for you, love you whilst youcan buy him Breeches, and then leave you? A Woman has a sweettime on’t with any Soldier-Lover of ‘em all, with their IronMinds, and Buff Hearts; feather’d Inamorato’s have nothing thatbelongs to Love but his Wings, the Devil clip ‘em forPetronella.

La Nu. True- he can ne’er be constant.

[Pausing.

Pet. Heaven forbid he should! No, if you are so unhappy as that youmust have him, give him a Night or two and pay him for’t, andsend him to feed again: But for your Heart, ‘Sdeath, I would assoon part with my Beauty, or Youth, and as necessary a Tool ‘tisfor your Trade- A Curtezan and love! but all my Counsel’s thrownaway upon ye.

[Weeps.

La Nu. No more, I will be rul’d- I will be wise, be rich; and sinceI must yield somewhere, and some time, Beaumond shall be theMan, and this the Night; he’s handsom, young, and lavishlyprofuse: This Night he comes, and I’ll submit to Interest. Letthe gilded Apartment be made ready, and strew it o’er withFlowers, adorn my Bed of State; let all be fine; perfume myChamber like the Phoenix’s Nest, I’ll be luxurious in my Prideto Night, and make the amorous prodigal Youth my Slave.

Pet. Nobly resolv’d! and for these other two who wait your coming,let me alone to manage. [Goes out.Scene changes to a Chamber, discovers Fetherfool in Bed.

Feth. This Gentlewoman is plaguy long in coming:- some Nicety now,some perfum’d Smock, or Point Night-Clothes to make her morelovely in my Eyes: Well, these Women are right City Cooks, theystay so long to garnish the Dish, till the Meat be cold- buthark, the Door opens.Enter Carlo softly, half undrest.

Car. This Wench stays long, and Love’s impatient; this is theChamber of La Nuche, I take it: If she be awake, I’ll let herknow who I am; if not, I’ll steal a Joy before she thinks of it.

Feth. Sure ‘tis she, pretty modest Rogue, she comes i’th’ dark tohide her Blushes- hum, I’m plaguy eloquent o’th’ sudden- who’sthere?

[Whispering].

Car. ‘Tis I, my Love.

Feth. Hah, sweet Soul, make haste.- There ‘twas again.

Car. So kind, sure she takes me for some other, or has some inklingof my Design-

[To himself.Where are you, Sweetest?

Feth. Here, my Love, give me your Hand-

[Puts out his Hand; Carlo kneels and kisses it. ]-

Car. Here let me worship the fair Shrine before I dare approach sofair a Saint.

[Kisses the Hand.]

Feth. Hah, what a Pox have we here?- wou’d I were well out o’t’other side- perhaps ‘tis her Husband, and then I’m a dead Man,if I’m discover’d.

[Removes to t’other side, Carlo holds his Hand. ]-

Car. Nay, do not fly- I know you took me for some happier Person.

[Feth. struggles, Car. rises and takes himin his Arms, and kisses him.

Feth. What, will you ravish me? [In a shrill Voice].

Car. Hah, that Voice is not La Nuche’s- Lights there, Lights.

Feth. Nay, I can hold a bearded Venus, Sir, as well as any Man.

[Holds Carlo.]

Car. What art thou, Rogue, Villain, Slave?

[They fall to Cuffs, and fight till they are bloody, fallfrom the Bed and fight on the Floor.Enter Petronella, Sancho, and Aurelia.

Pet. Heaven, what noise is this?- we are undone, part ‘em, Sancho.

[They part ‘em. ]-

Feth. Give me my Sword; nay, give me but a Knife, that I may cutyon Fellow’s Throat-

Car. Sirrah, I’m a Grandee, and a Spaniard, and will be reveng’d.

Feth. And I’m an English-man, and a Justice, and will have Law,Sir.

Pet. Say ‘tis her Husband, or any thing to get him hence.

[Aside to Sancho, who whispers him.

These English, Sir, are Devils, and on my Life ‘tis unknown tothe Seigniora that he’s i’th’ House. [To Carlo aside.

Car. Come, I’m abus’d but I must put it up for fear of my Honour;a Statesman’s Reputation is a tender thing: Convey me out theback way. I’ll be reveng’d. [Goes out.

Feth. (Aurelia whispers to him aside.) How, her Husband! Pritheeconvey me out; my Clothes, my Clothes, quickly-

Aur. Out, Sir! he has lock’d the Door, and designs to have yemurder’d.

Feth. Oh, gentle Soul- take pity on me- where, oh what shall I do?-my Clothes, my Sword and Money.

Aur. Quickly, Sancho, tie a Sheet to the Window, and let him slidedown by that- Be speedy, and we’ll throw your Clothes out afterye. Here, follow me to the Window.

Feth. Oh, any whither, any whither. That I could not be warn’d fromwhoring in a strange Country, by my Friend Ned Blunt’s Example-if I can but keep it secret now, I care not.

[Exeunt. ]Scene, the Street, a Sheet ty’d to the Balcony, and Feth.sitting cross to slide down.

Feth. So- now your Neck, or your Throat, chuse ye either, wise Mr.Nicholas Fetherfool- But stay, I hear Company. Now dare not Ibudg an Inch.

Enter Beaumond alone.

Beau. Where can this Rascal, my Page, be all this while? I waitedin the Piazza so long, that I believed he had mistook my Order,and gone directly to La Nuche’s House- but here’s no sign ofhim-

Feth. Hah- I hear no noise, I’ll venture down.

[Goes halfway down and stops.]Enter Abevile, Harlequin, Musick and Willmore.

Will. Whither will this Boy conduct me?- but since to a Woman, nomatter whither ‘tis.

Feth. Hah, more Company; now dare not I stir up nor down, they maybe Bravoes to cut my Throat.

Beau. Oh sure these are they-

Will. Come, my Heart, lose no time, but tune your Pipes.

[Harlequin plays on his Guittar, and sings.

Beau. How, sure this is some Rival.[Goes near and listens.]

Will. Harkye, Child, hast thou ne’er an amorous Ditty, short andsweet, hah-

Abev. Shall I not sing that you gave me, Sir?

Will. I shall spoil all with hard Questions- Ay, Child- that.

[Abev. sings, Beau. listens, and seems angry the while.]

SONG. A Pox upon this needless Scorn!Silvia, for shame the Cheat give o’er;The end to which the fair are born,Is not to keep their Charms in store,

But lavishly dispose in haste,Of Joys which none but Youth improve;Joys which decay when Beauty’s past:And who when Beauty’s past will love?

When Age those Glories shall deface,Revenging all your cold Disdain,And Silvia shall neglected pass,By every once admiring Swain;

And we can only Pity pay,When you in vain too late shall burn:If Love increase, and Youth delay,Ah, Silvia, who will make return?

Then haste, my Silvia, to the Grove,Where all the Sweets of May conspire,To teach us every Art of Love,And raise our Charms of Pleasure higher;

Where, whilst imbracing we should lieLoosely in Shades, on Banks of Flowers:The duller World whilst we defy,Years will be Minutes, Ages Hours.

Beau. ‘Sdeath, that’s my Page’s Voice: Who the Devil is’t thatploughs with my Heifer!

Aur. Don Henrick, Don Henrick-

[The Door opens, Beau. goes up to’t; Will. puts him by, and]offers to go in, he pulls him back.

Will. How now, what intruding Slave art thou?

Beau. What Thief art thou that basely, and by dark, rob’st me ofall my Rights?

[Strikes him, they fight, and Blows light on]Fetherfool who hangs down.

[Sancho throws Fetherfool’s Clothes out, Harlequin]takes ‘em up in confusion; they fight outBeaumond, all go off, but Will. gets into theHouse: Harlequin and Feth. remain. Feth. getsdown, runs against Harlequin in the dark, bothseem frighted.

Harl. Que questo.

Feth. Ay, un pouer dead Home, murder’d, kill’d.

Harl. (In Italian.) You are the first dead Man I ever saw walk.

Feth. Hah, Seignior Harlequin!

Harl. Seignior Nicholas!

Feth. A Pox Nicholas ye, I have been mall’d and beaten within

doors, and hang’d and bastinado’d without doors, lost myClothes, my Money, and all my Moveables; but this is nothing tothe Secret taking Air. Ah, dear Seignior, convey me to theMountebanks, there I may have Recruit and Cure under one.

ACT V.

SCENE I. A Chamber.La Nuche on a Couch in an Undress, Willmore at her Feet, on his Knees, all ubrac’d: his Hat, Sword, &c. on the Table, at which she is dressing her Head.

Will. Oh Gods! no more!I see a yielding in thy charming Eyes;The Blushes on thy Face, thy trembling Arms,Thy panting Breast, and short-breath’d Sighs confess,Thou wo’t be mine, in spite of all thy Art.

La Nu. What need you urge my Tongue then to repeat What from myEyes you can so well interpret?

[Bowing down her Head to him and sighing.-Or if it must- dispose me as you please-

Will. Heaven, I thank thee!

[Rises with Joy.Who wou’d not plough an Age in Winter Seas,

Or wade full seven long Years in ruder Camps,To find out this Rest at last?-

[Leans on, and kisses her Bosom.Upon thy tender Bosom to repose;To gaze upon thy Eyes, and taste thy Balmy Kisses,

[Kisses her.-Sweeter than everlasting Groves of Spices,When the soft Winds display the opening Buds:-Come, haste, my Soul, to Bed-

La Nu. You can be soft I find, when you wou’d conquer absolutely.

Will. Not infant Angels, not young sighing CupidsCan be more; this ravishing Joy that thou hast promis’d me,Has form’d my Soul to such a Calm of Love,It melts e’en at my Eyes.

La Nu. What have I done? that Promise will undo me.-This Chamber was prepar’d, and I was drest,To give Admittance to another Lover.

Will. But Love and Fortune both were on my side-Come, come to Bed- consider nought but Love-

[They going out, one knocks.

La Nu. Hark!

Beau. (without.) By Heav’n I will have entrance.

La Nu. ‘Tis he whom I expect; as thou lov’st LifeAnd me, retire a little into this Closet.

Will. Hah, retire!

La Nu. He’s the most fiercely jealous of his Sex,And Disappointment will inrage him more.

Will. Death: let him rage whoe’er he be; dost thinkI’ll hide me from him, and leave thee to his Love?Shall I, pent up, thro the thin Wainscot hear

Your Sighs, your amorous Words, and sound of Kisses?No, if thou canst cozen me, do’t, but discreetly,And I shall think thee true:I have thee now, and when I tamely partWith the, may Cowards huff and bully me.

[Knocks again.

La Nu. And must I be undone because I love ye?This is the Mine from whence I fetcht my Gold.

Will. Damn the base Trash: I’ll have thee poor, and mine;‘Tis nobler far, to starve with him thou lov’stThan gay without, and pining all within.

[Knocking, breaking the Door, Will. snatches up his Sword.]

La Nu. Heavens, here will be murder done- he must not see him.

[As Beau. breaks open the Door, she runs]away with the Candle, they are by dark,

Beau. enters with his Sword drawn.

Will. What art thou?

Beau. A Man.

[They fight.] Enter Petron. with Light, La Nuche following,

Beau. runs to her.Oh thou false Woman, falser than thy Smiles,Which serve but to delude good-natur’d Man,And when thou hast him fast, betray’st his Heart!

Will. Beaumond!

Beau. Willmore! Is it with thee I must tug for Empire?For I lay claim to all this World of Beauty.

[Takes La Nuche, looking with scorn on Willmore.]

La Nu. Heavens, how got this Ruffian in?

Will. Hold, hold, dear Harry, lay no Hands on her till thou can’stmake thy Claim good.

Beau. She’s mine, by Bargain mine, and that’s sufficient.

Will. In Law perhaps, it may for ought I know, but ‘tis not so inLove: but thou’rt my Friend, and I’ll therefore give thee fairPlay- if thou canst win her take her: But a Sword and a Mistressare not to be lost, if a Man can keep ‘em.

Beau. I cannot blame thee, thou but acts thy self-But thou fair Hypocrite, to whom I gave my Heart,And this exception made of all Mankind,Why would’st thou, as in Malice to my Love,Give it the only Wound that cou’d destroy it?

Will. Nay, if thou didst forbid her loving me, I have her sure.

Beau. I yield him many Charms; he’s nobly born,

Has Wit, Youth, Courage, all that takes the Heart,And only wants what pleases Women’s Vanity,Estate, the only good that I can boast:And that I sacrifice to buy thy Smiles.

La Nu. See, Sir- here’s a much fairer Chapman- you may be gone-

[To Will.]

Will. Faith, and so there is, Child, for me, I carry all about me,and that by Heaven is thine: I’ll settle all upon thee, but mySword, and that will buy us Bread. I’ve two led Horses too, onethou shalt manage, and follow me thro Dangers.

La Nu. A very hopeful comfortable Life;No, I was made for better Exercises.

Will. Why, every thing in its turn, Child, yet a Man’s but a Man.

Beau. No more, but if thou valuest her,Leave her to Ease and Plenty.

Will. Leave her to Love, my Dear; one hour of right-down Love,Is worth an Age of living dully on:What is’t to be adorn’d and shine with Gold,Drest like a God, but never know the Pleasure?-No, no, I have much finer things in store for thee.

[Hugs her.

La Nu. What shall I do?Here’s powerful Interest prostrate at my Feet,

[Pointing to Beau.Glory, and all than Vanity can boast;-But there- Love unadorn’d, no covering but his Wings,

[To Will.]No Wealth, but a full Quiver to do mischiefs,Laughs at those meaner Trifles-

Beau. Mute as thou art, are not these Minutes mine?But thou- ah false- hast dealt ‘em out already,With all thy Charms of Love, to this unknown-Silence and guilty Blushes say thou hast:

He all disorder’d too, loose and undrest,With Love and Pleasure dancing in his Eyes,Tell me too plainly how thou hast deceiv’d me.

La Nu. Or if I have not, ‘tis a Trick soon done, And thisungrateful Jealousy wou’d put it in my Head

[Angrily.]

Beau. Wou’d! by Heaven, thou hast- he is not to be fool’d,Or sooth’d into belief of distant Joys,As easy as I have been: I’ve lost so kindAn Opportunity, where Night and Silence bothConspire with Love, had made him rage like WavesBlown up by Storms:- no more- I know he has-Oh what, La Nuche! robb’d me of all that IHave languish’d for-

La Nu. If it were so, you should not dare believe it-

[Angrily turns away, he kneels and holds her. ]-

Beau. Forgive me; oh so very well I love,

Did I not know that thou hadst been a Whore,I’d give thee the last proof of Love- and marry thee.

Will. The last indeed- for there’s an end of Loving;Do, marry him, and be curst by all his Family:Marry him, and ruin him, that he may curse thee too.-But hark ye, Friend, this is not fair; ‘tis drawing Sharpson a Man that’s only arm’d with the defensive Cudgel,I’m for no such dead doing Arguments; if thou art for me,Child, it must be without the folly, for better for worse;there’s a kind of Nonsense in that Vow Fools only swallow.

La Nu. But when I’ve worn out all my Youth and Beauty, and suffer’devery ill of Poverty, I shall be compell’d to begin the Worldagain without a Stock to set up with. No faith, I’m for asubstantial Merchant in Love, who can repay the loss of Time andBeauty; with whom to make one thriving Voyage sets me up forever, and I need never put to Sea again.

[Comes to Beau.

Beau. Nor be expos’d to Storms of Poverty, the Indies shall come to

thee- See here- this is the Merchandize my Love affords.[Gives her a Pearl, and Pendants of Diamond.]

La Nu. Look ye, Sir, will not these Pearls do better round my Neck,than those kind Arms of yours? these Pendants in my Ears, thanall the Tales of Love you can whisper there?

Will. So- I am deceiv’d- deal on for Trash- and barter all thy Joysof Life for Baubles- this Night presents me one Adventure more-I’ll try thee once again, inconstant Fortune; and if thoufail’st me then- I will forswear thee

[Aside.] Death, hadstthou lov’d my Friend for his own Value, I had esteem’d thee;but when his Youth and Beauty cou’d not plead, to be themercenary Conquest of his Presents, was poor, below thy Wit: Icou’d have conquer’d so, but I scorn thee at that rate- myPurse shall never be my Pimp- Farewel, Harry.

Beau. Thou’st sham’d me out of Folly- stay-

Will. Faith- I have an Assignation with a Woman- a Woman Friend!young as the infant-day, and sweet as Roses e’er the Morning Sunhave kiss’d their Dew away. She will not ask me Money neither.

La Nu. Hah! stay-

[Holds him, and looks on him.]

Beau. She loves him, and her Eyes betray her Heart.

Will. I am not for your turn, Child- Death I shall lose my Mistressfooling here- I must be gone.

[She holds him, he shakes his Head and sings.]No, no, I will not hire your Bed,Nor Tenant to your Favours be;I will not farm your White and Red,You shall not let your Love to me:I court a Mistress- not a Landlady. [bis.

Beau. He’s in the right; and shall I waste my Youth and powerfulFortune on one who all this while has jilted me, seeing I was alavish loving Fool?- No- this Soul and Body shall not bedivided-

[Gives her to Will.

Will. I am so much thy Friend, another time I might be drawn totake a bad Bargain off thy Hands- but I have other Business atpresent: wo’t do a kind thing, Harry,- lend me thy Aid to carryoff my Woman to night? ‘tis hard by in the Piazza, perhaps wemay find Resistance.

Beau. My self and Sword are yours. I have a Chair waits below too,may do you Service.

Will. I thank ye- Madam- your Servant.

La Nu. Left by both!

Beau. You see our Affairs are pressing.

[Bows, and smiles carelesly. Ex. Will. singing, and Beau.]

La Nu. Gone! where’s all your Power, ye poor deluded Eyes? Curse onyour feeble Fires, that cannot warm a Heart which every commonBeauty kindles. Oh- he is gone for ever.

Enter Petronella.

Pet. Yes, he is gone, to your eternal Ruin: not all the Race of Mencou’d have produc’d so bountiful and credulous a Fool.

La Nu. No, never; fetch him back, my Petronella: Bring me my wildInconstant, or I die-

[Puts her out.]

Pet. The Devil fetch him back for Petronella, is’t he you mean?you’ve had too much of him; a Curse upon him, he’as ruin’d you.

La Nu. He has, he shall, he must compleat my ruin.

Pet. She raves, the Rogue has given her a Spanish Philtre.

La Nu. My Coach, my Veil- or let ‘em all alone; undrest thusloosely to the Winds commit me to darkness, and no Guide butpitying Cupid.

[Going out, Pet. holds her.

Pet. What, are you mad?

La Nu. As Winds let loose, or Storms when they rage high.

[Goes out.]

Pet. She’s lost, and I’ll shift for my self, seize all her Moneyand Jewels, of which I have the Keys; and if Seignior Mountebank

keeps his Word, be transform’d to Youth and Beauty again, andundo this La Nuche at her own Trade-

[Goes in.]

SCENE II. The Street.Enter Willmore, Beaumond, Chair following.

Will. Set down the Chair; you’re now within call, I’ll to theGarden-Door, and see if any Lady Bright appear- Dear Beaumond,stay here a minute, and if I find occasion, I’ll give you theWord.

Beau. ‘Tis hard by my Lodgings; if you want Conveniences, I havethe Key of the Back-way through the Garden, whither you maycarry your Mistress.

Will. I thank thee- let me first secure my Woman.

[Goes out.]

Beau. I thought I’d lov’d this false, this jilting Fair, even abovemy Friendship; but I find I can forgive this Rogue, tho I am

sure he has rob’d me of my Joys.Enter Ariadne with a Casket of Jewels.

Aria. Not yet! a Devil on him, he’s Dear-hearting it with someother kind Damsel- Faith, ‘tis most wickedly done of me toventure my Body with a mad unknown Fellow. Thus a little moreDelay will put me into a serious Consideration, and I shall e’engo home again, sleep and be sober.

[She walks about.]

Beau. Hah, a Woman! Perhaps the same he looks for- I’ll counterfeithis Voice and try my Chance- Fortune may set us even.

Aria. Hah, is not that a Man? Yes- and a Chair waiting.

[She peeps.]

Beau. Who’s there?

Aria. A Maid.

Beau. A Miracle- Oh art thou come, Child?

Aria. ‘Tis he, you are a civil Captain, are you not, to make alonging Maid expect thus? What Woman has detain’d you?

Beau. Faith, my Dear, tho Flesh and Blood be frail, yet the dearHopes of thee has made me hold out with a Herculean Courage-Stay, where shall I carry her? not to my own Apartment; Ariadnemay surprize me: I’ll to the Mountebank here i’th’ Piazza, hehas a Cure for all things, even for longing Love, and for aPistole or two will do Reason.- Hah, Company: Here, step intothis Chair.

[She goes in, they go off just as Will. enters.

Will. Hum, a Woman of Quality and jilt me- Egad, that’s strangenow- Well, who shall a Man trust in this wicked World?

Enter La Nuche as before.

La Nu. This should be he, he saunters about like an expectingLover.

[Will. peeping and approaching.

Will. By this Light a Woman, if she be the right- but right orwrong so she be Feminine: harkye, Child, I fancy thee some kindthing that belongs to me.

La Nu. Who are you?

[In a low tone.]

Will. A wandering Lover that has lost his Heart, and I have shreudGuess ‘tis in thy dear Bosom, Child.

La Nu. Oh you’re a pretty Lover, a Woman’s like to have a sweettime on’t, if you’re always so tedious.

Will. By yon bright Star-light, Child, I walk’d here in short turnslike a Centinel, all this live-long Evening, and was just going

(Gad forgive me) to kill my self.)

La Nu. I rather think some Beauty has detain’d you:Have you not seen La Nuche?

Will. La Nuche!- Why, she’s a Whore- I hope you take me for aciviller Person, than to throw my self away on Whores- No,Child, I lie with none but honest Women I: but no disputingnow, come- to my Lodging, my dear- here’s a Chair waits hard by.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III. Willmore’s Lodging.Enter Harlequin with Fetherfool’s Clothes on his Shoulder, leading him haltingby one Hand, Blunt (drunk) by the other in the dark; Fetherfool bloody, his Coatput over his Shoulders.

Feth. Peano, Peano, Seignior, gently, good Edward- for I’ll nothalt before a Cripple; I have lost a great part of my agilFaculties.

Blunt. Ah, see the Inconstancy of fickle Fortune, Nicholas- A Manto day, and beaten to morrow: but take comfort, there’s many a

proper fellow has been robb’d and beaten on this Highway ofwhoring.

Feth. Ay, Ned, thou speak’st by woful Experience- but that I shouldmiscarry after thy wholesom Documents- but we are all mortal, asthou say’st, Ned- Would I had never crost the Ferry fromCroydon; a few such Nights as these wou’d learn a Man Experi-enceenough to be a Wizard, if he have but the ill luck to escapehanging.

Blunt. ‘Dsheartlikins, I wonder in what Country our kinder Starsrule: In England plunder’d, sequester’d, imprison’d andbanish’d; in France, starv’d, walking like the Sign of the nakedBoy, with Plymouth Cloaks in our Hands; in Italy and Spainrobb’d, beaten, and thrown out at Windows.

Feth. Well, how happy am I, in having so true a Friend to condoleme in Affliction- [Weeps.] I am oblig’d to Seignior Harlequintoo, for bringing me hither to the Mountebank’s, where I shallnot only conceal this Catastrophe from those fortunate Rogues

our Comrades, but procure a little Album Graecum for myBackside. Come, Seignior, my Clothes- but, Seignior- unPortavera Poco palanea.

[Dresses himself.

Harl. Seignior.

Feth. Entende vos Signoria Englesa?

Harl. Em Poco, em Poco, Seignior.

Feth. Per quelq arts, did your Seigniorship escape Cudgeling?

Harl. La art de transformatio.

Feth. Transformatio- Why, wert thou not born a Man?

Harl. No, Seignior, un vieule Femme.

Feth. How, born an old Woman?

Blunt. Good Lord! born an old Woman! And so by transformationbecame invulnerable.

Feth. Ay- in- invulnerable- what would I give to be invulnerable?and egad, I am almost weary of being a Man, and subject tobeating: wou’d I were a Woman, a Man has but an ill time on’t:if he has a mind to a Wench, the making Love is so plaguytedious- then paying is to my Soul insupportable. But to be aWoman, to be courted with Presents, and have both the Pleasureand the Profit- to be without a Beard, and sing a fine Treble-and squeak if the Men but kiss me- ‘twere fine- and what’sbetter, am sure never to be beaten again.

Blunt. Pox on’t, do not use an old Friend so scurvily; consider theMisery thou’lt indure to have the Heart and Mind of a jiltingWhore possess thee: What a Fit of the Devil must he suffer whoacts her Part from fourteen to fourscore! No, ‘tis resolv’d thouremain Nicholas Fetherfool still, shalt marry the Monster, and

laugh at Fortune.

Feth. ‘Tis true, should I turn Whore to the Disgrace of my Family-what would the World say? who wou’d have thought it, cries one?I cou’d never have believ’d it, cries another. No, as thousay’st, I’ll remain as I am- marry and live honestly.

Blunt. Well resolv’d, I’ll leave you, for I was just going toserenade my Fairy Queen, when I met thee at the Door- someDeedsof Gallantry must be perform’d, Seignior, Bonus Nochus.

[Ex. Blunt.] Enter Shift with Light.

Feth. Hah, a Light, undone!

Harl. Patientia, Patientia, Seignior.

Shift. Where the Devil can this Rogue Hunt be? Just now all thingsare ready for marrying these two Monsters; they wait, the Houseis husht, and in the lucky Minute to have him out of the way:

sure the Devil owes me a spite.[Runs against Harlequin, puts out his Candle.]

Harl. Qui est la?

Shift. ‘Tis Harlequin: Pox on’t, is’t you?

Harl. Peace, here’s Fetherfool, I’ll secure him, whilst you goabout your Affair.

[Ex. Shift.]

Feth. Oh, I hear a Noise, dear Harlequin secure me; if I amdiscover’d I am undone- hold, hold- here’s a Door-

[They both go in.]Scene changes to a Chamber, discovers the She-Giant asleepin a great Chair.

Enter Fetherfool and Harlequin.

Feth. Hah- my Lady Monster! have I to avoid Scylla run uponCarybdis?- hah, she sleeps; now wou’d some magnanimous Lovermake good Use of this Opportunity, take Fortune by the Fore-

lock, put her to’t, and make sure Work- but Egad, he must have abetter Heart, or a better Mistress than I.

Harl. Try your Strength, I’ll be civil and leave you.

[In Italian he still speaks.]

Feth. Excuse me, Seignior, I should crackle like a wicker Bottle inher Arms- no, Seignior, there’s no venturing without a Gratebetween us: the Devil wou’d not give her due Benevolence- No,when I’m marry’d, I’ll e’en show her a fair pair of Heels, herPortion will pay Postage- But what if the Giant should carryher? that’s to be fear’d, then I have cock’d and drest, and fed,and ventur’d all this while for nothing.

Harl. Faith, Seignior, if I were you, I wou’d make sure ofsomething, see how rich she is in Gems.

Feth. Right, as thou say’st, I ought to make sure of something, andshe is rich in Gems: How amiable looks that Neck with thatdelicious row of Pearls about it.

Harl. She sleeps.

Feth. Ay, she sleeps as ‘twere her last. What if I made bold tounrig her? So if I miss the Lady, I have at least my Chargespaid: what vigorous Lover can resist her Charms?-

[Looks on her.But shou’d she wake and miss it, and find it about me, I shou’dbe hang’d-

[Turns away.-So then, I lose my Lady too- but Flesh and Blood cannot resist-What if I left the Town? then I lose my Lady still; and whowou’d lose a Hog for the rest of the Proverb?- And yet a Bird inHand, Friend Nicholas- Yet sweet Meat may have sour Sauce- Andyet refuse when Fortune offers- Yet Honesty’s a Jewel- But a Poxupon Pride, when Folks go naked-

Harl. Well said.

[Incouraging him by Signs.

Feth. Ay- I’ll do’t- but what Remedy now against Discovery and

Restitution?

Harl. Oh, Sir, take no care, you shall- swallow ‘em.

Feth. How, swallow ‘em! I shall ne’er be able to do’t.

Harl. I’ll shew you, Seignior, ‘tis easy.

Feth. ‘Gad that may be, ‘twere excellent if I cou’d do’t; butfirst- by your leave.

[Unties the Necklace, breaks the String, and Harl.]swallows one to shew him.

Harl. Look ye, that’s all-

Feth. Hold, hold, Seignior, an you be so nimble, I shall pay dearfor my Learning- let me see- Friend Nicholas, thou hastswallow’d many a Pill for the Disease of the Body, let’s seewhat thou canst perform for that of the Purse.

[Swallows ‘em.

-so- a comfortable business this- three or four thousand poundin Cordial-Pearl: ‘Sbud, Mark Anthony was never so treated byhis Egyptian Crocodile- hah, what noise is that?

Harl. Operator, Operator, Seignior.

Feth. How, an Operator! why, what the Devil makes he here? somePlot upon my Lady’s Chastity; were I given to be jealous now,Danger wou’d ensue- Oh, he’s entring, I would not be seen forall the World. Oh, some place of Refuge-

[Looking about.

Harl. I know of none.

Feth. Hah, what’s this- a Clock Case?

Harl. Good, good- look you, Sir, do you do thus, and ‘tisimpossible to discover ye.

[Goes into the Case, and shews him how to stand; then]Fetherfool goes in, pulls off his Periwig, his Head

out, turning for the Minutes o’th’ top: his Handout, and his Fingers pointing to a Figure.

Enter Shift and Hunt.

Feth. Oh Heaven, he’s here.

Shift. See where she sleeps; get you about your business, see yourown little Marmoset and the Priest be ready, that we may marryand consummate before Day; and in the Morning our Friends shallsee us abed together, give us the good morrow, and the Work’sdone.

[Ex. Hunt. ]

Feth. Oh Traytor to my Bed, what a Hellish Plot’s here discover’d!

[Shift wakes the Giant. ]-

Giant. Oh, are you come, my Sweetest?

Feth. Hah, the Mistress of my Bosom false too! ah, who wou’d trustfaithless Beauty- oh that I durst speak.

Shift. Come let’s away, your Uncle and the rest of the House arefast asleep, let’s away e’er the two Fools, Blunt andFetherfool, arrive.

Giant. Hang ‘em, Pigeon-hearted Slaves-

Shift. A Clock- let’s see what hour ‘tis-

[Lifts up the Light to see, Feth. blows it out.]-How! betray’d- I’ll kill the Villain.

[Draws.

Feth. Say you so, then ‘tis time for me to uncase.

Shift. Have you your Lovers hid?

[Gets out, all groping in the dark, Feth. gets the]Giant by the Hand.

Giant. Softly, or we’re undone; give me your Hand, and beundeceiv’d.

Feth. ‘Tis she, now shall I be reveng’d.

[Leads her out.

Shift. What, gone! Death, has this Monster got the Arts of Woman?

[Harl. meets him in the dark, and playstricks with him.

[Ex. all.]Enter Willmore and La Nuche by dark.

Will. Now we are safe and free, let’s in, my Soul, and gratefullyfirst sacrifice to Love, then to the Gods of Mirth and Wine, myDear.

[Ex. passing over the Stage. ]Enter Blunt with Petronella, imbracing her, his Sword in his Hand, and a Box ofJewels.

Pet. I was damnably afraid I was pursu’d. [Aside.]

Blunt. Something in the Fray I’ve got, pray Heaven it prove aPrize, after my cursed ill luck of losing my Lady Dwarf: Why doyou tremble, fair one?- you’re in the Hands of an honestGentleman, Adshartlikins.

Pet. Alas, Sir, just as I approacht Seignior Doctor’s Door, to havemy self surrounded with naked Weapons, then to drop with thefear my Casket of Jewels, which had not you by chance stumbledon and taken up, I had lost a hundred thousand Crowns with it.

Blunt. Ha um- a hundred thousand Crowns- a pretty trifling Sum-I’ll marry her out of hand.

[Aside].

Pet. This is an Englishman, of a dull honest Nation, and might bemanag’d to advantage, were but I transform’d now.

[Aside.I hope you are a Man of Honour; Sir, I am a Virgin, fled fromthe rage of an incens’d Brother; cou’d you but secure me with myTreasure, I wou’d be devoted yours.

Blunt. Secure thee! by this Light, sweet Soul, I’ll marry thee;-Beivile’s Lady ran just so away with him- this must be a Prize-

[Aside.But hark- prithee, my Dear, step in a little, I’ll keep my goodFortune to my self.

Pet. See what trust I repose in your Hands, those Jewels, Sir.

Blunt. So- there can be no jilting here, I am secur’d from beingcozen’d however

Enter Fetherfool.

Feth. A Pox on all Fools, I say, and a double Pox on all fightingFools; just when I had miraculously got my Monster by a mistakein the dark, convey’d her out, and within a moment of marryingher, to have my Friend set upon me, and occasion my losing her,was a Catastrophe which none but thy termagant Courage

(which never did any Man good) cou’d have procur’d.

Blunt. ‘Dshartlikins, I cou’d kill my self.

Feth. To fight away a couple of such hopeful Monsters, and twoMillions- ‘owns, was ever Valour so improvident?

Blunt. Your fighting made me mistake: for who the Pox wou’d havelook’d for Nicholas Fetherfool in the person of a Hero?

Feth. Fight, ‘Sbud, a Million of Money wou’d have provok’d a Bully;besides, I took you for the damn’d Rogue my Rival.

Blunt. Just as I had finish’d my Serenade, and had put up my Pipesto be gone, out stalk’d me your two-handed Lady, with a Man ather Girdle like a bunch of Keys, whom I taking for nothing lessthan some one who had some foul design upon the Gentlewoman,like a true Knight-Errant, did my best to rescue her.

Feth. Yes, yes, I feel you did, a Pox of your heavy hand.

Blunt. So whilst we two were lovingly cuffing each other, comes theRival, I suppose, and carries off the Prize.

Feth. Who must be Seignior Lucifer himself, he cou’d never havevanisht with that Celerity else with such a Carriage- But come,all we have to do is to raise the Mountebank and the Guardian,pursue the Rogues, have ‘em hang’d by Law, for a Rape, andTheft, and then we stand fair again.

Blunt. Faith, you may, if you please, but Fortune has providedotherwise for me.

[Aside.] [Ex. Blu. and Feth.Enter Beaumond and Ariadne.

Beau. Sure none lives here, or Thieves are broken in, the Doors areall left open.

Aria. Pray Heaven this Stranger prove but honest now.

[Aside.]

Beau. Now, my dear Creature, every thing conspires to make ushappy, let us not defer it.

Aria. Hold, dear Captain, I yield but on Conditions, which arethese- I give you up a Maid of Youth and Beauty, ten thousandPound in ready Jewels here- three times the value in Estate tocome, of which here be the Writings, you delivering me a handsomproper fellow, Heart-whole and sound, that’s all- your Name Iask not till the Priest declare it, who is to seal the Bargain.I cannot deceive, for I let you know I am Daughter-in-law to theEnglish Ambassador.

Beau. Ariadne!- How vain is all Man’s Industry and CareTo make himself accomplish’d;When the gay fluttering Fool, or the half-witted roughunmanner’d Brute,Who in plain terms comes right down to the business,Out-rivals him in all his Love and Fortunes.

[Aside.

Aria. Methinks you cool upon’t, Captain.

Beau. Yes, Ariadne.

Aria. Beaumond!

Beau. Oh what a World of Time have I mispent for want of being aBlockhead- ‘Sdeath and Hell,Wou’d I had been some brawny ruffling Fool,Some forward impudent unthinking Sloven,A Woman’s Tool; for all besides unmanageable.Come, swear that all this while you thought ‘twas I.The Devil has taught ye Tricks to bring your Falshood off.

Aria. Know ‘twas you! no, Faith, I took you for as errant a right-down Captain as ever Woman wisht for; and ‘twas uncivil egad, toundeceive me, I tell you that now.Enter Willmore and La Nuche by dark.

Will. Thou art all Charms, a Heaven of Sweets all over, plumpsmooth round Limbs, small rising Breasts, a Bosom soft andpanting- I long to wound each Sense. Lights there- who waits?-there yet remains a Pleasure unpossest, the sight of that dearFace- Lights there- where are my Vermin?

[Ex. Will.]

Aria. My Captain with a Woman- and is it so-

Enter Will. with Lights, sees Aria. and goes to her.

Will. By Heaven, a glorious Beauty! now a Blessing on thee forshewing me so dear a Face- Come, Child, let’s retire and beginwhere we left off.

La Nu. A Woman!

Aria. Where we left off! pray, where was that, good Captain?

Will. Within upon the Bed, Child- come- I’ll show thee.

Beau. Hold, Sir.

Will. Beaumond! come fit to celebrate my Happiness; ah such aWoman-friend!

Beau. Do ye know her?

Will. All o’er, to be the softest sweetest Creature-

Beau. I mean, do ye know who she is?

Will. Nor care; ‘tis the last Question I ever ask a fine Woman.

Beau. And you are sure you are thus well acquainted.

Will. I cannot boast of much acquaintance- but I have pluckt a Rosefrom her Bosom- or so- and given it her again- we’ve past thehour of the Berjere together, that’s all-

Beau. And do you know- this Lady is my- Wife?

[Draw.

Will. Hah! hum, hum, hum, hum-

[Turns and sings, sees La Nuche, and returns]quick with an uneasy Grimace.

Beau. Did you not hear me? Draw.

Will. Draw, Sir- what on my Friend?

Beau. On your Cuckold, Sir, for so you’ve doubly made me: Draw, orI’ll kill thee-

[Passes at him, he fences with his Hat, La Nu. holds Beau.

Will. Hold, prithee hold.

La Nu. Put up your Sword, this Lady’s innocent, at least in whatconcerns this Evening’s business; I own- with Pride I own I am

the Woman that pleas’d so well to Night.

Will. La Nuche! kind Soul to bring me off with so handsom a lye:How lucky ‘twas she happen’d to be here!

Beau. False as thou art, why shou’d I credit thee?

La Nu. By Heaven, ‘tis true, I will not lose the glory on’t.

Will. Oh the dear perjur’d Creature, how I love thee for this dearlying Virtue- Harkye, Child, hast thou nothing to say for thyself, to help us out withal?-

[To Aria. aside.]

Aria. I! I renounce ye- false Man.

Beau. Yes, yes, I know she’s innocent of this, for which I owe nothanks to either of you, but to my self who mistook her in thedark.

La Nu. And you it seems mistook me for this Lady; I favour’d yourDesign to gain your Heart, for I was told, that if this Night Ilost you, I shou’d never regain you: now I am yours, and o’erthe habitable World will follow you, and live and starve byturns, as Fortune pleases.

Will. Nay, by this Light, Child, I knew when once thou’dst try’dme, thou’dst ne’er part with me- give me thy Hand, no Povertyshall part us.

[Kisses her.]-so- now here’s a Bargain made without the formal Foppery ofMarriage.

La Nu. Nay, faith Captain, she that will not take thy word as soonas the Parson’s of the Parish, deserves not the Blessing.

Will. Thou art reform’d, and I adore the Change.

Enter the Guardian, Blunt, and Fetherfool.

Guar. My Nieces stol’n, and by a couple of the Seignior’s Men! the

Seignior fled too! undone, undone!

Will. Hah, now’s my Cue, I must finish this Jest.

[Goes out.] Enter Shift and Giant, Hunt and Dwarf.

Guar. Oh impudence, my Nieces, and the Villains with ‘em! I chargeye, Gentlemen, to lay hold on ‘em.

Dwarf. For what, good Uncle, for being so courageous to marry us?

Guar. How, married to Rogues, Rascals, John Potages!

Blunt. Who the Devil wou’d have look’d for jilting in suchHobgoblins?

Feth. And hast thou deceiv’d me, thou foul filthy Synagogue?Enter Willmore like a Mountebank as before.

Blunt. The Mountebank! oh thou cheating Quack, thou sophisticated

adulterated Villain.

Feth. Thou cozening, lying, Fortune-telling, Fee-taking Rascal.

Blunt. Thou jugling, conjuring, canting Rogue!

Will. What’s the matter, Gentlemen?

Blunt. Hast thou the Impudence to ask, who took my Money to marryme to this ill-favour’d Baboon?

Feth.And me to this foul filthy o’ergrown Chronicle?

Blunt. And hast suffered Rogues, thy Servants, to marry ‘em:Sirrah, I will beat thee past Cure of all thy hard-nam’d Drugs,thy Guzman Medicines.

Feth. Nay, I’ll peach him in the Inquisition for a Wizard, and havehim hang’d for a Witch.

Shift. Sir, we are Gentlemen, and you shall have the thirds oftheir Portion, what wou’d you more?

[Aside to the Guar.]Look ye, Sir.

[Pulls off their Disguise.

Blunt. Hunt!

Feth. Shift! We are betray’d: all will out to the captain.

Will. He shall know no more of it than he does already for me,Gentlemen.

[Pulls off his Disguise.

Blunt. Willmore!

Feth. Ay, ay, ‘tis he.

Blunt. Draw, Sir- you know me-

Will. -For one that ‘tis impossible to cozen.

[All laugh.

Beau. Have a care, Sir, we are all for the Captain.

Feth. As for that, Sir, we fear ye not, d’ye see, were you Herculesand all his Myrmidons.

[Draws, but gets behind.]

Will. Fools, put up your Swords, Fools, and do not publish theJest; your Money you shall have again, on condition you neverpretend to be wiser than your other Men, but modestly believeyou may be cozen’d as well as your Neighbours.

[The Guardian talking with Hunt and Shift and Giant this while. ]-

Feth. La you, Ned, why shou’d Friends fall out?

Blunt. Cozen’d! it may be not, Sir; the Essex Fool, the cozen’ddull Rogue can shew Moveables or so- nay, they are right too-

[Shews his Jewels.]This is no Naples Adventure, Gentlemen, no Copper Chains; allsubstantial Diamonds, Pearls and Rubies-

Will. takes the Casket, and looks in it.

La Nu. Hah, do not I know that Casket, and those Jewels!

Feth. How the Pox came this Rogue by these?

Will. Hum, Edward, I confess you have redeem’d your Reputation, andshall hereafter pass for a Wit- by what good fortune came you bythis Treasure?- what Lady-

Blunt. Lady, Sir! alas no, I’m a Fool, a Country Fop, an Ass, I;but that you may perceive your selves mistaken, Gentlemen, thisis but an earnest of what’s to come, a small token ofremembrance, or so- and yet I have no Charms, I; the fineCaptain has all the Wit and Beauty- but thou’rt my Friend, andI’ll impart.

[Brings out Petronella veil’d.]Enter Aurelia and Sancho.

Aur. Hither we trac’d her, and see she’s yonder.

San. Sir, in the King’s Name lay hold of this old Cheat, she hasthis Night robb’d our Patrona of a hundred thousand Crowns inMoney and Jewels.

Blunt. Hah!

[Gets from her.]

La Nu. You are mistaken, Friend Sancho, she only seiz’d ‘em for myuse, and has deliver’d ‘em in trust to my Friend the Captain.

Pet. Hah, La Nuche!

Blunt. How! cozen’d again!

Will. Look ye, Sir, she’s so beautiful, you need no Portion, thatalone’s sufficient for Wit.

Feth. Much good may do you with your rich Lady, Edward.

Blunt. Death, this Fool laugh at me too- well, I am an errantright-down Loggerhead, a dull conceited cozen’d silly Fool; andhe that ever takes me for any other, ‘Dshartlikins, I’ll beathim. I forgive you all, and will henceforth be good-natur’d;wo’t borrow any Money? Pox on’t, I’ll lend as far as e’er ‘twillgo, for I am now reclaim’d.

Guar. Here is a Necklace of Pearl lost, which, Sir, I lay to your

Charge. [To Fetherfool.]

Feth. Hum, I was bewitcht I did not rub off with it when it wasmine- who, I? if e’er I saw a Necklace of Pearl, I wish ‘twerein my Belly.

Blunt. How a Necklace! unconscionable Rogue, not to let me share:well, there is no Friendship in the World; I hope they’l hanghim.

Shift. He’ll ne’er confess without the Rack- come, we’ll toss himin a Blanket.

Feth. Hah, toss me in a Blanket, that will turn my Stomach mostvillainously, and I shall disimbogue and discover all.

Shift. Come, come, the Blanket.

[They lay hold on him.

Feth. Hold, hold, I do confess, I do confess-

Shift. Restore, and have your Pardon.

Feth. That is not in Nature at present, for Gentlemen, I have eat‘em.

Shift. ‘Sdeath, I’ll dissect ye.

[Goes to draw.]

Will. Let me redeem him; here Boy, take him to my Chamber, and letthe Doctor glyster him soundly, and I’ll warrant you your Pearlagain.

Feth. If this be the end of travelling, I’ll e’en to old Englandagain, take the Covenant, get a Sequestrator’s Place, grow rich,and defy all Cavaliering.

Beau. ‘Tis Morning, let’s home, Ariadne, and try, if possible, tolove so well to be content to marry; if we find that amendmentin our Hearts, to say we dare believe and trust each other, thenlet it be a Match.

Aria. With all my Heart.

Will. You have a hankering after Marriage still, but I am for Loveand Gallantry.So tho by several ways we gain our End,Love still, like Death, does to one Center tend,

EPILOGUE.

Spoken by Mrs. BARRY.

POETS are Kings of Wit, and you appearA Parliament, by Play-Bill, summon’d here;When e’er in want, to you for aid they fly,And a new Play’s the Speech that begs supply:But now-The scanted Tribute is so slowly paid,Our Poets must find out another Trade;They’ve tried all ways th’ insatiate Clan to please,Have parted with their old Prerogatives,Their Birth-right Satiring, and their just pretenceOf judging even their own Wit and Sense;And write against their Consciences, to showHow dull they can he to comply with you.They’ve flatter’d all the Mutineers i’th’ Nation,Grosser than e’er was done in Dedication;Pleas’d your sick Palates with Fantastick Wit,Such as was ne’er a treat before to th’ Pit;

Giants, fat Cardinals, Pope Joans and Fryers,To entertain Right Worshipfuls and Squires:Who laugh and cry Ads Nigs, ‘tis woundy good,When the fuger’s all the Jest that’s understood.And yet you’ll come but once, unless by stealth,Except the Author be for Commonwealth;Then half Crown more you nobly throw away,And tho my Lady seldom see a Play,She, with her eldest Daughter, shall be boxt that day.Then Prologue comes, Ads-lightikins, crys Sir John,You shall hear notable Conceits anon:How neatly, Sir, he’ll bob the Court and French King,And tickle away- you know who- for Wenching.All this won’t do, they e’en may spare their Speeches,For all their greasing will not buy ‘em Britches;To get a penny new found ways must take,As forming Popes, and Squibs and Crackers make.In Coffee-Houses some their talent vent,Rail for the Cause against the Government,And make a pretty thriving living on’t,For who would let a useful Member want.Things being brought to this distressed Estate,

‘Twere fit you took the matter in Debate.There was a time, when Loyally by you,True Wit and Sense received Allegiance due,Our King of Poets had his Tribute pay’d,His Peers secur’d beneath his Laurel’s shade.What Crimes have they committed, they must beDriven to the last and worst Extremity?Oh, let it not be said of English Men,Who have to Wit so just and noble been,They should their Loyal Principles recant,And let the glorious Monarch of it want.

THE END